Lewis Hamilton aims to steer clear of the unsuccessful Ferrari F1 tenures experienced by other top drivers. Will Hamilton be able to overcome the challenges faced by those before him and lead Ferrari to a championship victory in Formula 1?

One of the most talked-about narratives in the history of Formula 1 is Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari.

Ever since the announcement last February about the seven-time world champion's high-profile switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, the Formula 1 community has been eagerly anticipating the collaboration between two of the most legendary and influential entities in the sport.

After coming close to winning the constructors' championship last season, which would have been their first world title since 2008, McLaren narrowly edged out Ferrari. Now, Hamilton's goal is evident: assist Ferrari in putting an end to their lengthy dry spell without a trophy.

If Hamilton manages to secure a championship for Maranello, he would solidify his reputation as one of the all-time greats, becoming the first driver to achieve this feat since Kimi Raikkonen did in 2007.

If he achieves this feat, the 40-year-old would secure his eighth world title, setting a new record. This accomplishment would place Hamilton one championship ahead of the iconic Michael Schumacher, who won five of his seven titles while racing for Ferrari.

The stories are enticingly presented, yet achieving these ambitions is often more complex than it seems in a plan. Prior to Hamilton, two other multiple-time world champions attempted this feat, but were unsuccessful.

This is a look at how the famous team of F1 has fared with the superstar drivers who preceded Hamilton.

Fernando Alonso became part of Ferrari following a disappointing two-year period with Renault. He aimed to be the catalyst for the Scuderia's comeback to victory.

After taking over from Raikkonen, Alonso's time with Ferrari kicked off with him almost clinching a championship right away.

The Spanish driver successfully closed a 47-point gap to catch up with Sebastian Vettel, taking the lead in the championship after securing a win in South Korea. Despite this, he was narrowly defeated by the Red Bull racer in a heartbreaking turn of events during the final race in Abu Dhabi. He found himself trapped behind Renault's Vitaly Petrov and, due to a strategic mistake by his team, he was unable to finish higher than seventh place.

Two years after his previous attempt, Alonso found himself competing for the championship once more, facing off against his rival Vettel. Similar to the 2010 season, the battle for the title was incredibly close, and Alonso experienced another disappointing loss decided by very small differences.

Throughout most of the season, Alonso was at the forefront of the championship race, even though his car was only the fourth quickest. However, a strong end-of-season performance by Red Bull and Vettel allowed the German driver to clinch the title, narrowly defeating Alonso by three points during a rain-soaked final race in Brazil.

If Alonso hadn't been removed from the race at Spa due to Romain Grosjean losing control, or collided with Raikkonen at Suzuka, he could have claimed his third world championship. In 2013, Alonso once again secured the second-place finish, but that year, Vettel and Red Bull had a superior setup, allowing them to comfortably clinch the championship in the latter half of the season.

Disappointed by Ferrari's inability to offer a competitive vehicle in a challenging 2014 season and frustrated by several close calls in championship races, Alonso decided to leave Ferrari two years before his contract ended and made a return to McLaren.

Vettel, a four-time world champion, joined Maranello after securing four titles in the past five years.

Sebastian Vettel became a part of the Ferrari team with the goal of achieving what Alonso couldn't and emulating his idol Schumacher by clinching the championship with the iconic Italian automaker.

In 2015, Vettel began his journey with promising results, securing three race wins and cementing his status as Ferrari's lead driver. However, it wasn't until the regulatory changes in 2017 that the team became competitive enough to vie for the championship title.

Throughout much of the 2017 season, Ferrari's car outpaced that of Mercedes, giving Sebastian Vettel an early lead in the championship battle against Lewis Hamilton. The two drivers frequently exchanged victories. However, an impulsive incident in Baku proved costly for Vettel. He lost his opportunity for a win by deliberately driving alongside Hamilton and colliding with him during a Safety Car period, resulting in a 10-second stop-go penalty for his actions.

Following the summer break, Hamilton experienced an exceptional streak of performance, while Vettel's chances at the championship took a significant hit when he was eliminated in Singapore. This race marked a crucial turning point in the 2017 season. Consecutive mechanical failures in Malaysia and Japan nearly extinguished Vettel's championship aspirations before Hamilton secured his fourth title in Mexico City.

The year 2018 held great promise for Ferrari and Vettel; however, despite having a substantial advantage with their car throughout much of the season, they ultimately fell short, with Hamilton and the Mercedes team coming out on top once again.

Vettel's performance was marred by numerous mistakes from both him and his team, with the most significant blunder taking place in Germany. There, while leading the race, Vettel crashed, allowing Hamilton to pull off an incredible victory despite starting in 14th position. Following the summer break, Hamilton maintained his dominant form, whereas Vettel struggled under pressure, missing out on another prime chance for success.

In 2019, Charles Leclerc, a promising talent nurtured by Ferrari, rose to prominence, signaling the decline of Sebastian Vettel's tenure with the team. Ultimately, Vettel's departure was driven by a mix of Leclerc's impressive performances and his own declining results, leading to a parting of ways and making room for Carlos Sainz to join in 2021.

After four years, Hamilton will have the opportunity to alter Ferrari's future. Can the British driver succeed and finally bring fortune to the Scuderia on this third attempt?

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Alpine has finalized a deal with Williams to sign Franco Colapinto for their driver lineup in the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Alpine has declared that they have secured Franco Colapinto's services following a deal made with their Formula 1 competitors, Williams.

Colapinto has signed a "multi-year" contract to join Alpine as a test and reserve driver for the 2025 season.

In recent weeks, there has been significant speculation about the 21-year-old from Argentina making a transfer to Alpine.

Colapinto quickly stood out in Formula 1 after being brought in by Williams to take over for Logan Sargeant, who had not been performing well since the previous year's Italian Grand Prix.

In only his second race in Azerbaijan, he advanced to the third qualifying round and earned points, which quickly drew interest from teams such as Red Bull and Alpine due to his remarkable initial performances.

He was unable to obtain a permanent racing position for 2025 following several crashes towards the end of the season that somewhat diminished his achievements. However, Colapinto might have found a route to return to the Formula 1 grid.

Colapinto expressed his enthusiasm about becoming a part of the BWT Alpine Formula One Team. He began by thanking Williams for their unwavering support, which he appreciated from the time he entered their Academy to the final race in Abu Dhabi.

They transformed my aspiration of competing in Formula One into something real, and I will forever appreciate that. As I embark on a new phase, joining the BWT Alpine Formula One Team is indeed a privilege. I am immensely grateful to Luca de Meo, Flavio Briatore, and Oliver Oakes for their faith in me and for their warm reception into the team.

"I'm eager to begin and discover where this adventure will lead us. Additionally, I want to express my deep gratitude to all my sponsors and partners who supported me throughout the difficulties of the 2024 season."

Flavio Briatore, who serves as an executive advisor for Alpine, expressed his satisfaction about finalizing a deal with Williams Racing to bring Franco Colapinto on board. He noted that Franco stands out as one of the most promising young talents currently in motorsport.

It's safe to say that his debut on the Formula One grid last year was unexpected for many people, myself included, and his performance has been remarkable for someone new to the sport. We are focusing on our future, and bringing him on board ensures we have a strong group of young drivers to rely on and collaborate with in order to build the team towards future achievements.

Doohan Faces Increased Expectations

The announcement of Colapinto joining Alpine is likely to put added pressure on newcomer Jack Doohan in his first season of Formula 1.

Doohan participated in his first grand prix with Alpine at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi after Esteban Ocon left earlier than expected. He has been contracted to compete with Pierre Gasly in 2025.

It is believed that Doohan inked a brief contract with Alpine, which allows the French company the possibility of altering their driver lineup if necessary.

Ensuring that Colapinto is available gives Alpine a reliable alternative in case Doohan's initial performances are not up to par.

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Williams has scheduled the unveiling of Carlos Sainz's 2025 car for Valentine's Day. The team has disclosed the date they plan to present their 2025 Formula 1 vehicle.

Williams is set to unveil their 2025 vehicle, the FW47, on February 14, which is four days ahead of the start of the F1 season in London.

Williams is set to reveal their new car at Silverstone, featuring a unique paint job. The team's 2025 race design will be showcased at the F1 75 Live event on February 18.

This year marks a significant one for the Williams team as Carlos Sainz transitions from Ferrari to lead their efforts in 2025, joining forces with Alex Albon.

In discussing the news, team leader James Vowles remarked, "The year 2025 holds great promise for Williams. We have excellent drivers, Alex and Carlos, talented engineers coming from various teams, and state-of-the-art facilities opening at our Grove headquarters."

In line with our recovery strategy, we've been developing our 2025 vehicle for quite a while, and I'm eager to unveil it at Silverstone on February 14.

Each member of the team is fully committed to returning the team to its rightful place as we approach the significant rule changes set for 2026. The upcoming year promises to be thrilling.

What are Williams' potential accomplishments in the 2025 F1 season?

After a lackluster performance in 2024, Williams found themselves in the ninth position in the F1 constructors' rankings, managing to stay just ahead of Sauber.

Throughout their season, they faced numerous accidents and mishaps, resulting in a costly bill for repairs.

As a result of the significant damage incurred towards the year's end, Franco Colapinto had to use parts from an older specification.

Williams is focused on the new set of rules coming in 2026.

The team from Grove will keep using Mercedes engines and is hoping they will provide an outstanding performance, similar to what happened in 2014 when Williams reached the top three in the rankings.

This could suggest that 2025 will once again be a letdown for Williams.

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Red Bull's control over Formula 1 is likened to nearing the peak of Mount Everest. "When you're almost at the top of Everest, introducing new innovations becomes extremely challenging."

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard thinks it was bound to happen that Red Bull's stronghold in the sport would conclude after 2023. He likens this situation to being "near the peak of Everest."

In 2023, Red Bull had a remarkable season by securing victory in 21 out of the 22 races.

Looking ahead to 2024, they slipped to third place in the F1 constructors' championship, managing to win only two out of the final 14 races.

Max Verstappen managed to secure his fourth straight championship, yet Red Bull's period of supremacy had definitively concluded.

Reflecting on the challenges faced by his old team in the previous year, Coulthard admitted that Red Bull struggled significantly to bring about new developments following their history-making season.

"I've been in this field for a while and understand that past victories don't guarantee future success. Last year [2023] was an overwhelmingly successful year," he mentioned to Motorsport-Total.com.

"When you're near the top of Everest, coming up with new ideas becomes extremely challenging."

In 2024, Red Bull secured victories in more races compared to McLaren and Ferrari, despite the latter two teams ranking higher in the F1 constructors' championship.

Coulthard mentioned that the team chose a specific direction for the car's development, which resulted in it winning ten (nine) Grand Prix races, surpassing any other team.

The concept of correlation is crucial. When it is effective, it shows results, but if it fails, it highlights the complexity of the issue. If it were straightforward, one could simply provide the guidelines to an AI system.

"If it were easy, everyone would make identical cars. However, that's not how things are."

Coulthard praises McLaren's impressive recovery

McLaren has experienced an extraordinary transformation over the past two years.

In 2023, their campaign kicked off with the least competitive car, leaving Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri struggling at the rear of the lineup.

A performance boost in Austria significantly changed their season, allowing Norris to consistently secure podium finishes just behind Verstappen during the latter half of the year.

In 2024, improvements in Miami transformed them from the third quickest team into serious challengers for the championship.

Coulthard commented on the consistent capability of leading teams to maintain their performance year after year. He congratulated McLaren, praising them for their impressive comeback.

People often mention that it's been 26 years since their last constructors' championship victory. However, someone pointed out to me that they actually secured the title with Hamilton and Alonso, but it was revoked after the fact.

"I had also let that slip from my memory. Yet, setting that aside, it happened quite a long time ago."

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Cadillac takes significant stride towards establishing itself as an F1 works team with crucial announcement. The company outlines its strategy to achieve works team status before the decade concludes.

Cadillac has accelerated its efforts to establish itself as a full Formula 1 works team by the end of the 2020s, spurred by the creation of General Motors Performance Power Units.

Cadillac is anticipated to become the 11th team on the Formula 1 circuit in 2026, with intentions to develop their own engine by 2029.

US automotive giant General Motors has announced a collaboration with TWG Motorsports to create GM Performance Power Units.

A primary factor in the approval of Cadillac's bid to join Formula 1 was their intention to establish themselves as a manufacturer team with their own engine, instead of merely serving as a customer team.

The U.S. squad will rely on Ferrari engines until the General Motors power unit is completely finished and ready for use.

Russ O’Blenes, who boasts more than three decades of experience in motorsports, will lead GM's power unit initiative.

Cadillac announced that O’Blenes will become part of "TWG Motorsports and GM’s group of pioneering individuals, establishing a top-notch technological foundation for the upcoming Formula 1 team."

In discussing recent developments, Dan Towriss, the CEO of TWG Motorsports, commented, "His knowledge and leadership abilities will play a crucial role as we begin establishing Cadillac's presence in Formula 1."

Under the leadership of Team Principal Graeme Lowdon, they are set to guide the team in establishing new benchmarks for performance and innovation in the sport.

O'Blenes expressed his enthusiasm, saying he is thrilled about the chance to assemble and guide the team responsible for introducing a Formula 1 power unit manufactured in the United States to the race lineup.

"General Motors' PPU division is in the process of expanding its workforce and is looking to hire across various sectors of the company."

Cadillac is preparing for its anticipated entrance into Formula 1 in 2026.

Towards the end of 2024, Graeme Lowdon, who previously served as the CEO of Manor, was introduced as the team's principal.

Reports have emerged indicating that Valtteri Bottas has already engaged in discussions with Lowdon regarding a possible transfer to the team.

Mario Andretti, a member of the management board for the team, has suggested that one of the available driver positions will likely be taken by an American, with Colton Herta being the most probable choice.

Cadillac has several alternatives besides Bottas, including Sergio Perez, Zhou Guanyu, and Kevin Magnussen, who are all open for selection.

Daniel Ricciardo has rejected the possibility of making a comeback to the racing grid in 2026 with Cadillac.

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Mercedes has been accused of securing a backup plan involving Valtteri Bottas in case Kimi Antonelli underperforms in his first season. An F1 legend claims this strategy provides a "safety net" for the team.

Renowned F1 figure Juan Pablo Montoya thinks that Mercedes' choice to rehire Valtteri Bottas provides them with a backup plan in case Andrea Kimi Antonelli doesn't meet expectations.

Antonelli is set to enter Formula 1 for the first time this year with the Mercedes team, moving up from Formula 2 to take over from Lewis Hamilton.

Antonelli is the first newcomer to advance to a leading team since Hamilton joined McLaren in 2007.

Antonelli and George Russell will be supported by Bottas, who is returning to Mercedes to take on the role of test and reserve driver for the 2025 season.

Valtteri Bottas was not able to obtain a permanent racing position for the next season, which resulted in him taking on a reserve driver role with his previous team.

In an interview with CasasDeApuestas.bet, Montoya shared his thoughts on the driver lineup at Mercedes.

According to Montoya, Kimi Antonelli finds himself in a contrasting situation, being a prominent figure in a top-tier team alongside a teammate who is performing exceptionally well.

"You are being promoted as the next Max Verstappen, and if you don't meet those expectations, that's unfortunate."

In my opinion, Mercedes is playing it safe by having Valtteri Bottas on their team.

"He's a backup option if things don't pan out with Antonelli, and he's aware of this."

Mercedes' Bold Move for F1 2025

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff made the daring choice to select Antonelli instead of Carlos Sainz, leading to Sainz moving down the ranks to join Williams.

Wolff opted for the Italian because he regretted not signing Max Verstappen when he initially joined the sport.

The Verstappen family opted not to team up with Mercedes because the team was unable to provide a permanent racing position.

Red Bull was ready to place Verstappen in Formula 1 with Toro Rosso at the start of 2015, and then they promoted him to the main Red Bull team in early 2016.

Wolff was not willing to take the chance of letting Antonelli slip away to a competing team by choosing a seasoned driver such as Sainz.

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Who is the new CEO of Liberty Media? The owner of Formula 1 has announced Derek Chang as the successor to Greg Maffei.

Liberty Media, the owner of Formula 1, has named Derek Chang as the new president and CEO.

The news follows Greg Maffei's exit last year. Maffei, known for assisting Liberty in finalizing its acquisition of Formula 1 in 2017, announced in November that he would be leaving his role.

Chang, who has experience in the fields of media, sports, and entertainment, is set to take on the role of president and CEO starting February 1st.

His latest position was with EverPass Media, a firm that provides live sports broadcasts, such as NFL games in the U.S. and Premier League soccer in the UK, to businesses and commercial venues.

Chang's work history also features periods of employment at DIRECTV and NBA China.

Chang is set to establish a three-member executive board for Liberty, which will include Chase Carey and Dob Bennett. F1's president and CEO, Stefano Domenicali, will report directly to this board.

Liberty, having already acquired F1, has made an offer to purchase MotoGP, the leading motorcycle racing series, for an estimated £3.2 billion. This deal is still awaiting the green light from the European Commission.

The U.S.-based media giant aims to attract fresh viewership to MotoGP and enhance the championship's visibility, aspiring to mirror the recent surge in popularity experienced by Formula 1.

Chang has promised to aid in the development of our appealing operational assets, such as F1 and MotoGP, following their acquisition, to maintain their progress and invest in future growth.

John Malone, the chairman of Liberty Media, expressed his excitement about Derek taking over as CEO. He highlighted Derek's expertise in management and investments, his deep knowledge of the industries they operate in, and his previous experience with Liberty, all of which make him the perfect choice to lead the company into its future.

Having collaborated with Derek for more than 25 years, I am continually amazed by his way of leading, extensive knowledge, and international outlook. I am eager to assist him and the Liberty management team as they keep pushing to enhance shareholder value.

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Max Verstappen criticizes social media users for distorting his relationship with Lando Norris

Max Verstappen has taken aim at those on social media, labeling them as "idiots" for blowing his relationship with Lando Norris out of proportion amid their championship rivalry.

Max Verstappen has criticized those who exaggerated his relationship with Lando Norris during their 2024 F1 championship rivalry, calling them "idiots."

Throughout their careers in Formula 1, Verstappen and Norris have maintained a positive friendship. However, their bond faced challenges last year when they became rivals in the battle for the world championship.

Incidents on the track in Austria, Austin, and Mexico City put a strain on their friendship and created tension. However, Verstappen and Norris managed to keep their relationship intact, even amidst the competition, as the Red Bull driver secured his fourth consecutive world championship title.

During an episode of Red Bull’s podcast, Talking Bull, Verstappen criticized individuals on social media for making over-the-top statements during the previous season.

Max Verstappen commented that social media tends to amplify negativity, noting that many individuals on these platforms frequently voice their complaints and criticisms.

"There are many optimistic individuals, although there are also a few who are quite foolish. In my opinion, it's best to simply disregard all of it."

Lando and I had a good relationship. Naturally, there were moments of tension during races, but that didn't affect our off-track interactions. Our main goal was always to perform at our best during races to achieve the best results possible.

"Competing for the World Championship can lead to situations like this, which I believe is quite expected. However, everything between us is fine."

Verstappen stated that he would not want to experience the 2021 finale again, even saying he would 'die' if he had to relive it. During a turbulent and rainy race in Brazil, Verstappen showcased an impressive comeback by climbing from 17th place on the starting grid to secure a victory, bringing him close to clinching the world championship title.

Norris, beginning the race from the lead position, faced challenges and ended up in sixth place, allowing Verstappen to secure the championship in the upcoming Las Vegas event, with two races still left in the season.

Verstappen drew parallels between the pressure he endured during last year's Sao Paulo Grand Prix and the feelings he encountered at the final race of the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi, where he secured his inaugural championship title amid contentious conditions.

He explained that he wouldn't want to go through the experience in Brazil again because it was so emotionally exhausting. He compared it to the day he won his first title, saying it was so overwhelming that he felt like he would die if he had to relive it.

"On that particular day, those who saw me, including my girlfriend Kelly Piquet, noticed a difference. Kelly visited me in my room prior to the race, and while I usually don't get very anxious, I was feeling a bit more on edge than usual. Typically, you're ready for the event, though there can be some nerves due to the desire to perform well."

"But she mentioned that my hands felt like ice. These types of experiences are better appreciated from a distance rather than going through them again."

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Did concerns about his reputation lead Red Bull to pass over Yuki Tsunoda?

Yuki Tsunoda admits there might be a reason why Red Bull didn't choose him for their 2025 F1 team.

Yuki Tsunoda acknowledged that his first year in Formula 1 resulted in a perception issue, potentially causing him to be passed over for a spot with Red Bull.

A 24-year-old racer from Japan was overlooked by Red Bull, who opted to choose Liam Lawson, a fellow teammate from Racing Bulls, to partner with world champion Max Verstappen in 2025 after deciding to part ways with Sergio Perez.

Lawson was chosen even though he had only participated in 11 grand prix races over two seasons and did not significantly outshine Tsunoda while they were teammates at Red Bull's affiliated team.

Tsunoda, entering his fifth season with Racing Bulls, believes that his prospects for advancing to the main team were negatively affected by his emotional reactions during team radio communications, a notable aspect of his debut F1 season in 2021.

Yuki Tsunoda admitted to Motorsport that he believes some of the responsibility lies with him, as he wasn't able to deliver strong performances immediately in his first year, which may have contributed to perceptions about his abilities.

In 2024, despite my strong performance, I believe I wasn't recognized as much as other drivers. However, that's just how things are. I plan to continue working hard and delivering results to prove any doubters wrong.

"I aim to reduce the number of excuses or reasons for not being present. Therefore, I concentrate on what is within my control and simply accept the circumstances beyond that. I am confident that I can perform better than their current expectations."

Tsunoda thinks he has put in significant effort to effectively enhance his temperament over the past few years.

He mentioned that his communication skills have gotten better, particularly his radio chatter. He also noted that he has become calmer, offering more precise technical feedback and staying more concentrated.

"I can certainly sense the progress I've made over the year, and I'm really pleased with it. However, I still need to work on providing better technical feedback, particularly during races. I believe I have the capacity to offer more insights, as my feedback is sometimes inconsistent."

"It was more challenging for us to consistently demonstrate our performance. Despite performing well personally, the car's performance wasn't always aligned with that. Nonetheless, I'm quite satisfied with the level of consistency we've maintained up to now. I often mention that I could have executed a few races more effectively, but I have proven that I am quite consistent."

"I began the season on a strong note and was regularly scoring points, largely because the car was performing well. However, as time went on, we couldn't enhance our car with upgrades, and teams like Haas and others began surpassing us in terms of car performance."

Marko's comments on Tsunoda being overlooked

Helmut Marko, an advisor for Red Bull, suggested that Yuki Tsunoda's emotional reactions played a role in the choice to elevate Lawson instead.

When discussing Red Bull's decision not to sign Tsunoda, despite his being "faster" than Lawson, Marko explained to Sport that while Tsunoda currently has an edge in speed, he falls short in terms of consistency and still makes errors.

The 81-year-old Austrian mentioned that while his bouts of anger have significantly gotten better, they are still a problem. "He still loses his temper," he noted.

"We think that Tsunoda would face considerable emotional difficulties if he found himself next to Max and discovered he couldn't outperform him or even get near his level, especially if the situation didn't unfold as he had hoped."

The future of Tsunoda after 2025 is unclear, as Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has acknowledged that he might be let go from the team's roster of drivers.

"Frankly, I'm not too concerned about the chatter on social media, as those users aren't fully aware of the situation," Tsunoda remarked.

"What truly counts is the opinion of my team, and I genuinely feel their strong support. They grasped the circumstances of every race, and I have certainly earned their trust. This is what has always been important to me, and I am very grateful for their dedication."

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Lewis Hamilton shares insights into his readiness for the 2025 F1 season with Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton has commenced his preparations for his 2025 debut with Ferrari in Formula 1.

Lewis Hamilton expressed his gratitude to fans on social media for their birthday greetings, mentioning that he is "already diligently preparing" for the 2025 F1 season.

On Tuesday, Hamilton celebrated his 40th birthday while gearing up for the upcoming Formula 1 season with Ferrari.

In 2025, Hamilton will enter a new chapter in his career by competing for the most successful team in Formula 1 following his departure from Mercedes.

The seven-time world champion aims to achieve a historic feat with the Scuderia, as no driver over the age of 40 has claimed victory in an F1 Grand Prix since Nigel Mansell did so in 1994.

Hamilton expressed his gratitude to fans for their birthday wishes through his Instagram story.

He shared a photo of himself snowboarding and wrote in the caption: “Another year completed. Appreciate all the birthday wishes. Already busy with work. Catch up later.”

Later this month, Hamilton is anticipated to make his unofficial debut with Ferrari, driving an older model car.

Ferrari is eager for Hamilton to drive their 2022 car to ensure he is ready for the pre-season testing scheduled in Bahrain next month.

Hamilton was not able to participate in the Ferrari post-season test in Abu Dhabi because of his existing contractual obligations with Mercedes.

This implies that Hamilton is at a slight disadvantage as he kicks off the year, needing to get accustomed to Ferrari’s procedures, familiarize himself with the steering wheel, and build connections with his new team of engineers.

Questions Arise Over Hamilton's Switch to Ferrari

Hamilton's performance in 2024 has led to doubts about Ferrari's choice to swap out Carlos Sainz.

In his last season with Mercedes, Hamilton faced numerous challenges and found it difficult to perform consistently throughout most of the racing calendar.

Despite Hamilton breaking his losing streak at the British Grand Prix, George Russell outperformed him for most of the season.

Hamilton’s performance was so lacking that he confessed he no longer feels fast enough.

In the off-season, Flavio Briatore, who serves as an advisor for Alpine, and former Formula 1 team principal Eddie Jordan expressed that they would have chosen to keep Sainz partnering with Charles Leclerc instead of bringing Hamilton on board.

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Lewis Hamilton provides a sneak peek into his preparations for starting with Ferrari in the 2025 F1 season. Hamilton is already gearing up for his debut with the Ferrari team in the 2025 Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton expressed his gratitude to fans on social media for their birthday messages, sharing that he is "already busy preparing" for the 2025 F1 season.

On Tuesday, Hamilton celebrated his 40th birthday while getting ready for the upcoming Formula 1 season with Ferrari.

In 2025, Hamilton is set to begin a fresh chapter in his career by joining the most accomplished team in Formula 1 history, following his departure from Mercedes.

The driver, who has claimed the world championship title seven times, aims to achieve a historic victory with the Scuderia team. This feat would mark the first time a driver aged 40 or older has won a Formula 1 Grand Prix since Nigel Mansell's triumph in 199

Through his Instagram story, Hamilton expressed gratitude to his fans for their birthday wishes.

He shared a photo of himself snowboarding and wrote in the caption: "Another year completed. Grateful for all the birthday wishes. Already back to work. Catch up later."

Hamilton is anticipated to make his unofficial debut with Ferrari in an older model vehicle later this month.

Ferrari is eager to have Hamilton drive their 2022 car to ensure he's ready for the upcoming pre-season testing in Bahrain next month.

Hamilton could not participate in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi with Ferrari because of his existing contract obligations with Mercedes.

This indicates that Hamilton is at a minor disadvantage at the start of the year as he familiarizes himself with Ferrari's methods, gets accustomed to the steering wheel, and builds connections with his new engineering team.

Doubts Arise Over Hamilton's Switch to Ferrari

Hamilton's performance in 2024 has led to skepticism regarding Ferrari's choice to substitute Carlos Sainz.

Hamilton faced challenges throughout his last year with Mercedes, as he found it difficult for most of the season.

Although Hamilton managed to break his streak without a win at the British Grand Prix, George Russell held the advantage for most of the season.

Hamilton's performance was so lackluster that he confessed he no longer has the speed he once did.

In the off-season, former F1 team leader Eddie Jordan and Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore expressed that they would have chosen to retain Sainz alongside Charles Leclerc instead of bringing Hamilton on board.

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Franco Colapinto is expected to make an unexpected switch to a new team, although he is not set to begin the 2025 season driving for them. Meanwhile, Ryo Hirakawa has been appointed as a reserve driver for Alpine, amid increasing speculation about Franco Colapinto's possible association with the team.

Ryo Hirakawa has become the F1 test and reserve driver for Alpine, amid ongoing speculation connecting Franco Colapinto with the team.

Lately, rumors connecting Colapinto to Alpine have been intensifying.

According to reports from the well-known Argentinian sports outlet Olé, it is anticipated that Colapinto will soon secure a position as a driver with Alpine.

According to The Race, the 21-year-old Argentinian is nearing an agreement to sign with Alpine.

The report indicates that it's uncertain whether he will join on a permanent basis or if there will be conditions allowing Williams to recall him, as initial talks included the possibility of a 'loan' arrangement. However, Colapinto will not be placed in an Alpine race seat right away.

Colapinto quickly caught attention in Formula 1 when Williams brought him in to take over from Logan Sargeant, who had been underperforming since the previous year's Italian Grand Prix.

His strong early showings connected him with Red Bull and Alpine, but a series of crashes later in the season diminished that interest.

Red Bull decided to bring Liam Lawson on board to take over from Sergio Perez in 2025, while they elevated promising talent and F2 second-place finisher Isack Hadjar to their Racing Bulls junior squad.

Reports suggest that Colapinto's representatives have engaged in discussions with Alpine and Williams regarding the possibility of him becoming a driver for the French team in 2025.

This decision would increase the stress on Jack Doohan, a newcomer in Formula 1, who participated in his first grand prix with Alpine at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi after Esteban Ocon left early.

Doohan has secured a racing position with Pierre Gasly for this season, but it's speculated that his contract is temporary, allowing Alpine the flexibility to switch drivers early on if necessary.

It is thought that Doohan will retain his position at least for the beginning of the season, which kicks off with his home event, the Australian Grand Prix, on March 16.

Alpine has brought on board a new test driver, Hirakawa, who previously won the Le Mans 24 Hours and served as a development driver for McLaren.

Last year, the 30-year-old driver from Japan competed for McLaren and Haas. In December, he participated in the young driver test in Abu Dhabi with the American team following their technical collaboration with Toyota.

Hirakawa is set to take part in a practice session with Alpine during the Japanese Grand Prix in April, joining Formula 2 race victor Paul Aron on the team's list of drivers.

Hirakawa expressed his excitement about becoming a Test and Reserve Driver for the BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team in the 2025 season, stating it was a privilege to take on this role.

Getting time on the track in a Formula One car is the ultimate experience for any race driver. I am thrilled to be driving in Free Practice 1 at the Japanese Grand Prix, especially with the chance to perform in front of my home fans. Additionally, I'm looking forward to collaborating with the team by testing older models.

"It is a wonderful chance to collaborate with a committed team that leverages its wide range of driver expertise, and I am eager to contribute to making 2025 a successful year for all of us."

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