Johnny Herbert comments after being removed from his role as an FIA steward before the 2025 F1 season.

Johnny Herbert addresses his removal from the position of FIA steward…

Johnny Herbert has issued a statement after being removed from his role as an FIA steward before the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

On Wednesday, the FIA revealed that Herbert would be dismissed, pointing to his role as a commentator as a key reason for their decision.

Since the conclusion of 2022, Herbert hasn't worked as a TV analyst for Sky Sports, yet the ex-British F1 racer has frequently attracted attention for his views over the last year.

Over the past year, Herbert frequently criticized Max Verstappen for his driving style and use of "intimidation" techniques.

Jos Verstappen was annoyed by his remarks and wondered why a steward should be permitted to express opinions openly.

The FIA has made a decision before the upcoming season, removing Herbert from his position.

Herbert addressed the situation by posting a response on Instagram.

He expressed his gratitude for the chance to serve as an FIA Driver Steward, noting that he has found great enjoyment in the position he has held for several years. He acknowledged the challenges of the role, including the necessity of making difficult decisions.

As stewards, we are committed to consistently showing the highest level of respect to drivers and team staff, maintaining our impartiality throughout every F1 Grand Prix weekend.

"I am extremely thankful to the President and all the FIA staff for the opportunities they have provided me."

Herbert expressed his disapproval after the Mexico City Grand Prix, where Verstappen received two 10-second penalties due to incidents involving his championship competitor, Lando Norris.

According to Herbert, the penalties in Mexico are unlikely to deter Max Verstappen from forcing Lando Norris off the track in future races.

Verstappen's main goal was to help Ferrari secure the top two positions in the race. While I comprehend his motivation, I disagree with his actions, and I believe that many others share this sentiment.

Lando Norris has previously emphasized the importance of "fair racing," which is the kind of competition he aims for. Max Verstappen is unlikely to alter his driving style, as his main objective remains preventing Norris from narrowing the distance in the drivers' championship. As a result, we could still witness many exciting races in the future.

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Ferrari canceled Charles Leclerc's session after Lewis Hamilton was involved in an accident. According to information obtained by Crash.net, Charles Leclerc did not continue his run after his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, crashed.

According to information from Crash.net, Ferrari had to end their second day of Formula 1 testing in Barcelona earlier than planned due to a crash involving Lewis Hamilton.

The seven-time world champion experienced an accident during his third day behind the wheel of a 2023 Ferrari at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Wednesday.

Hamilton emerged without injury following the mishap, reportedly taking place at Turn 12 when the 40-year-old British driver lost command of his vehicle. However, the event inadvertently impacted Ferrari.

After Hamilton's crash, Ferrari managed to fix the vehicle, but as daylight waned at the Spanish Grand Prix track, they had to cancel teammate Charles Leclerc's scheduled afternoon session.

Leclerc was visibly unable to finish even one lap, which hindered his and Hamilton's final day of testing in Barcelona this week.

Ferrari has chosen not to make any statements regarding the situation; however, a high-ranking source has told Crash.net that Leclerc was not involved.

On Thursday, Antonio Giovinazzi, serving as Ferrari's reserve driver, joined forces with junior driver Dino Beganovic to take the wheel of the SF-23 for the last day of the private testing schedule.

Next week, Hamilton and Leclerc are scheduled to head back to Barcelona, where Ferrari will be conducting a tyre test for Pirelli in collaboration with McLaren on February 4th and 5th, 2026.

Hamilton's Incident Minimized

Different accounts have emerged regarding the event, with Sky referring to it as a "minor" issue. In contrast, Motorsport reported that it resulted in "significant damage" to the car's front, affecting both the suspension and bodywork.

Ferrari views the accident as a routine occurrence while Hamilton familiarizes himself with their vehicle and adjusts to the team following his 12-year tenure with Mercedes.

Craig Slater, in his report for Sky Sports News, mentioned that a high-ranking source from Ferrari said he was perfectly okay following the incident.

However, the vehicle needed to be retrieved and returned to the garage for fixing.

According to a high-ranking source at Ferrari, this is completely typical for this season, especially for a driver like Hamilton who is trying to push his new gear to its limits.

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Experts have identified the sole situation in which Lewis Hamilton might consider leaving Ferrari. Discussions are ongoing among specialists regarding the duration of Hamilton's career in Formula 1.

It has been suggested that there is just one situation that might lead Lewis Hamilton to leave Ferrari before his contract ends.

This year, Hamilton's significant transition to Ferrari brings together the most accomplished driver and team in Formula 1 history.

It is expected that their partnership will continue for at least the next two years and possibly even longer.

Lewis Larkam mentioned on the Crash F1 podcast that much of this is about realizing the aspiration of racing for Ferrari.

Lewis Hamilton has never openly confessed during his time with Mercedes, but achieving that would have been a dream for him.

"The allure of securing the eighth championship and ending the long wait is more compelling than promises of having the top car by 2026."

Ferrari has also developed powerful engines, which eliminates any worries in that area.

"This focuses on Hamilton beginning anew."

"Is it possible for Hamilton to have a long tenure with Ferrari? Absolutely."

"We haven't observed any indication from Mercedes that they've found a solution to improve their competitiveness, which has been lacking. Furthermore, they were not prepared to offer him a contract for an extended period."

Ferrari has essentially stated, "We'll provide you with anything you desire!"

Hamilton was likely aware that Mercedes intended to eventually integrate Kimi Antonelli into their team.

"I don't believe he will leave his position before his contract expires, which extends until at least the end of 2026."

"The sole situation in which he might choose to step down is if he clinches the title and ends his career as an eight-time world champion."

"He is committed for the foreseeable future, and even if things don't turn out as expected, I can't imagine him taking such a significant step only to leave after just one or two seasons."

Lewis Hamilton seeks affection and admiration at Ferrari. According to Connor McDonagh, there were rumors that Hamilton was not given a chance to serve as an ambassador for Mercedes. He felt undervalued and believed his input was ignored.

"All of these elements significantly contributed."

Many people anticipate that Mercedes will be fast in 2026 due to the new power units, so it seems this decision was more about achieving a lifelong ambition.

"Giancarlo Fisichella continues to serve in a permanent ambassadorial capacity for Ferrari, a role he has held since he raced for the team back in 2009."

"There is a possibility for Hamilton to remain involved for as long as he desires, particularly regarding ventures such as fashion."

"He desires to experience both love and respect."

In the coming year, updated F1 rules aim to equalize the competition, with each team hoping to establish a period of dominance. Rumors within the F1 community suggest that Mercedes has developed an exceptionally powerful engine.

Since narrowly missing the title at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton has not yet managed to clinch a record-breaking eighth Formula 1 drivers’ championship with Mercedes.

He now has the chance to surpass Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, the team where the iconic German racer experienced the peak of his career.

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For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of topics including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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Adrian Newey believes that Red Bull's recent decline in performance can be attributed to "inexperience." He expressed his growing worries over the issue, noting that few others within the team appeared to share his level of concern.

Adrian Newey, the design expert for Formula 1, indicated that Red Bull's decline in performance last year might have been due to their "inexperience."

Following a dominant performance with victories in seven of the first 10 races, Red Bull managed to secure only two wins in the last 14 competitions.

Max Verstappen's exceptional performance secured another drivers' championship, but the team fell behind McLaren and Ferrari in the competition for the constructors' title.

Red Bull experienced a decline in performance as the RB20 became notably challenging to handle.

Even Verstappen couldn't secure a top position, ending up in a far-off sixth place at the Italian Grand Prix.

In Baku, the situation mirrored previous events, with Verstappen securing a fifth-place finish. This result might have been a seventh-place finish if not for a collision involving Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz.

Red Bull managed to resolve several of their problems, yet McLaren and Ferrari frequently maintained a lead in terms of sheer performance.

In an interview with the German outlet AMuS, Newey expressed his "concern" regarding the path Red Bull was taking. However, not everyone within the team shared his worries.

"Newey stated that a significant factor was the efforts by McLaren and Ferrari in enhancing their vehicles, and they have been quite successful in doing so."

"From my observations, it seems that the Red Bull car, both the model for 2024 and the final phases of 2023, became increasingly challenging to drive. Max was able to manage this difficulty, even though it wasn't ideally suited for him. On the other hand, Checo struggled with these changes. This led to a noticeable gap in performance between Max and Checo, the two teammates."

"The issue persisted into early 2024, but the vehicle remained fast enough to handle it. While I was beginning to worry about this, it appeared that few others within the organization shared my concerns."

"Based on my observations from an external perspective, though I can't be certain, it seems that the Red Bull team—without any intended criticism—may have continued on their chosen path possibly due to inexperience. This issue became increasingly severe, eventually making it challenging even for Max to handle the driving."

Newey is preparing to embark on a fresh journey with Aston Martin. He is set to begin his role with the team in March.

The individual, aged 66, is set to assume the position of managing technical partner, leading Aston Martin's Formula 1 initiatives with a particular emphasis on the year 2026.

The owner of the team, Lawrence Stroll, believes that bringing Newey on board is the crucial element they have been lacking.

Stroll has named Andy Cowell, the former head of Mercedes' engine division, as the team's principal for the upcoming season.

Enrico Cardille has become a part of the team, having left Ferrari, and will strengthen their technical framework.

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Kimi Antonelli advised to 'take it easy' to prevent 'uncomfortable' scenarios

Andrea Kimi Antonelli receives a caution from a former F1 race victor before his debut season as a newcomer.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been encouraged to "take it easy" as he prepares for his first F1 season with Mercedes.

Following only one season in Formula 2 and skipping Formula 3 entirely, the 18-year-old Italian driver is set to take over from seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, joining forces with George Russell.

Antonelli gained attention after he collided during his initial F1 practice session at the Italian Grand Prix last year. This incident occurred just as he was revealed to be joining Mercedes as a driver in 2025.

Ex-Grand Prix victor Juan Pablo Montoya believes that Antonelli will face challenges in meeting the high expectations during his first Formula 1 season.

A seven-time grand prix champion expressed to CasinoApps that Kimi Antonelli faces significant challenges in meeting the high expectations set for him. "It's definitely going to be a tough journey," he remarked.

"He possesses the speed necessary to excel, but with great speed comes the risk of accidents. It's often mentioned that he experienced many crashes with the older vehicles."

"I believe he is completely dedicated, and if Kimi can manage his feelings and recognize that achieving results may require patience, I think he will do well."

"If he decides to join the race and aims to defeat everyone, it could quickly turn against him. It might be wise for someone to advise him to take it easy and not rush."

He has periods when he can avoid getting into difficult scenarios. However, there's a strong possibility that he could find himself in an uncomfortable situation. While he has demonstrated his speed, he has also proven that he can make errors.

"If you speed up, you might crash, but if you avoid crashing, you slow down."

Montoya added, "It's important to strike a balance between maintaining speed and not going too far."

When you have a teammate like Russell, who is at the peak of his performance and has been with the team for quite some time, it's challenging because there aren't any priorities or advantages given.

"It's important to work with what you have and strive for the best outcome. You might experience some excellent weeks or some that are not so great and just average. It's crucial to figure out how to maximize the potential of each week."

"It’s important to grasp the reasons for their shortcomings. Identifying small adjustments that could elevate him from mediocre to excellent is crucial. By investing time in recognizing these distinctions, he will be equipped to adapt and respond appropriately to various circumstances."

Antonelli successfully completes driving test

This week, Antonelli announced that he successfully completed his driving test, achieving this milestone only six weeks ahead of his Formula 1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix, which marks the beginning of the season.

Although Antonelli accumulated several thousand miles in an F1 car to get ready for his first season, he was not legally allowed to drive on public roads until recently.

Antonelli shared with Sky Sports during the Autosport Awards on Wednesday night that he made a small error in the theory, but overall, things went smoothly.

"I have to admit, I felt quite anxious and frightened. I realized that this was my only chance to get it right, as once the season begins, I won't have the opportunity to try again."

"I kept reminding myself that it was something I had to accomplish. In the end, things turned out successfully, and it was a huge relief for me."

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Ferrari is set to choose two alternate drivers to allow Lewis Hamilton to take a break during the last testing session in Barcelona. Hamilton will not be participating in Ferrari's concluding test day at the Barcelona track.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are not expected to participate in the last day of Ferrari's private Formula 1 testing session in Barcelona.

After spending two days sharing the driving responsibilities in a 2023 vehicle, Hamilton and Leclerc will make way for Ferrari to assess several of their reserve driver candidates on Thursday.

This was arranged prior to Hamilton's Ferrari accident on Wednesday, which disrupted the team's testing schedule for that day.

This week, Ferrari reserved the Spanish Grand Prix track for a three-day session to assist Hamilton in getting ready for the 2025 F1 season, working alongside his new teammate, Leclerc.

In a private test session classified under the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC), Hamilton was able to further familiarize himself with Ferrari's protocols and build a professional rapport with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami.

The world champion, who has won the title seven times, drove the Ferrari SF-23 on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday morning, he returned to the track with the same car, but the session concluded prematurely following an accident.

On Thursday, other drivers from Ferrari's lineup are expected to have the opportunity to gain some Formula 1 experience.

Former Sauber driver Antonio Giovinazzi, who has been serving as a reserve for Ferrari since 2017, is scheduled to participate in track sessions alongside Dino Beganovic.

Beganovic, who is 21 years old and part of the Ferrari Driver Academy, is set to compete in his debut full season in Formula 2 with the Hitech team in 2025.

The day will offer Beganovic a valuable opportunity to get accustomed to Formula 1 equipment and help him accumulate the necessary mileage to be eligible for a Super Licence.

Ferrari has not yet made an official announcement regarding their backup driver choices for the 2025 season.

In 2024, Oliver Bearman stepped in for Carlos Sainz during the race in Saudi Arabia. However, with Bearman now committed to a permanent position with Haas for the next season, Ferrari is searching for other options.

Although Giovinazzi has consistently been a potential backup option for Ferrari, Beganovic might also become a contender for the team.

Beganovic is expected to participate in several FP1 sessions this year in order to meet Ferrari's requirement for young driver participation.

There have been connections between Zhou Guanyu and the position following the loss of his spot at Sauber.

In the interim, Hamilton and Leclerc, along with McLaren, are set to participate in a Pirelli tire testing session for the 2026 season at the Barcelona circuit on the upcoming Tuesday and Wednesday, which falls on the 4th and

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Title of Lewis Hamilton’s Debut Ferrari Formula 1 Car Unveiled

The debut Ferrari Formula 1 car driven by Lewis Hamilton now has a name…

The first Formula 1 Ferrari car driven by Lewis Hamilton now has an unveiled name.

Ferrari has announced that their Formula 1 car for the 2025 season will be called the SF-25, sharing this update through their social media platforms.

In the past few years, Ferrari has established a distinct trend, with the SF-24 and SF-23 models serving as the forerunners to the car they have unveiled this year.

Start of the year, fresh identity 👊 pic.twitter.com/JC4Ou0OfRJ— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) January 30, 2025

Start of the year, fresh identity 👊 pic.twitter.com/JC4Ou0OfRJ

In 2022, Ferrari named their car the F1-75 in honor of their 75 years of history.

In 2020, they chose the name SF1000 to honor Ferrari's participation in their 1000th Grand Prix race.

Initially scheduled as the 2020 Monaco Grand Prix, the event was called off because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ferrari marked their 1000th Grand Prix with the 2020 Tuscan GP, choosing a striking, deep red paint scheme to commemorate the occasion.

Based on Ferrari's recent social media posts, it seems likely that this year's car will feature a deeper red color.

Hamilton gears up for debut season with Ferrari

In recent weeks, Hamilton has been quite occupied, having made his inaugural visit to Ferrari's Maranello factory just last week.

On Monday of last week, Hamilton was seen standing in front of the famous former residence of Enzo Ferrari.

Following discussions with several of his engineers and essential team members, Hamilton took to the Fiorano circuit for his initial run.

He and Charles Leclerc alternated in driving the 2023 Ferrari car.

Earlier this week, they took to the track once more, this time at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Following an uneventful initial day of racing, Hamilton experienced a crash on the subsequent day, Wednesday.

Hamilton experienced an accident in the last part of the circuit in Barcelona.

The seven-time world champion managed to leave his Ferrari without any injuries.

As a result, Ferrari was forced to cancel Leclerc's subsequent attempt.

Lewis Hamilton is set to have another opportunity to drive for Ferrari as the team is scheduled to participate in the Pirelli tire testing session next week in Barcelona.

This will help him get ready for his pre-season event in Bahrain scheduled for the end of February.

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Intriguing Forecast by Lando Norris for F1 2025 Could Affect Max Verstappen

Specialists Share Their Forecasts for the 2025 F1 Champion and the Winner of the First Race of the Season

According to predictions from our experts, Lando Norris possesses both the speed and the equipment needed to secure the F1 drivers' championship title this season.

Last season, McLaren's Norris put up a strong fight but was ultimately unable to overcome Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who secured his fourth consecutive championship title.

McLaren concluded the 2024 season boasting the quickest car in Formula 1, which could provide Norris with a chance to gain an early lead over Verstappen this year.

Connor McDonagh, speaking on the Crash F1 podcast, expressed his support for Norris to win the drivers’ title, noting that Norris demonstrated impressive speed towards the end of the year and significantly reduced his errors.

"I understand that in Brazil, he was somewhat inconsistent, veering off course on a few occasions."

"However, a few of his races, where he started in the lead and finished first, have been exceptionally impressive."

"The distance between him and Oscar Piastri is often underestimated."

"There's a lot of talk about how close Piastri was, but in fact, Piastri managed to qualify ahead of him on four occasions!"

In my opinion, Norris is the top contender with the quickest vehicle.

"Charles Leclerc emerged victorious in the opening race, creating an uplifting moment for Ferrari."

Lewis Hamilton is being supported to win the Formula 1 championship. Another forecast for the championship suggests that Verstappen may lose his dominant grip on the top award.

According to Lewis Larkam, Lewis Hamilton is his pick to win in Australia, citing Hamilton's impressive track record in Melbourne and noting that Ferrari typically performs well at that venue.

"Imagine the narrative if he could secure a victory in his first race with Ferrari, mirroring the achievement of Fernando Alonso."

"It would accelerate the excitement."

When it comes to the drivers' championship, if we're making a daring prediction, I'm choosing Hamilton…

"This was the change he required to revitalize himself."

"During the previous season, there was a sense that he had mentally disengaged. The timing was peculiar, making the situation unusual, as it was known before the season started that he would be joining Ferrari."

"As you might anticipate, he was gradually being excluded from meetings."

It remains uncertain if George Russell received favorable consideration regarding the set-ups.

"Although it was statistically among his least successful seasons in Formula 1, he seized any opportunity for a victory that came his way!"

The competitiveness of the Formula 1 grid is anticipated to become more balanced in 2025, as it marks the last year under the existing engine rules.

This suggests that each team is already preparing for 2026 and the future, which should lead to more competitive races this season.

This could present Verstappen with his most challenging task to retain his championship so far, or it might offer the Red Bull racer a chance to demonstrate his exceptional skills even more.

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McLaren has conducted tests on Pirelli's wet weather tyres designed for the 2026 Formula 1 season, facing challenging cold conditions during the process.

McLaren is the newest team to conduct testing sessions for the upcoming 2025 Formula 1 season, featuring drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at Circuit Paul Ricard.

The McLaren duo has been evaluating Pirelli's wet-weather tyres designed for 2026 at the French track.

On Wednesday, Piastri got behind the wheel of McLaren's 2023 car and later passed it on to his teammate, Norris.

Pirelli observed that the track's temperature dropped to a cold -2 degrees Celsius during the morning, which prevented Piastri from finishing the scheduled laps.

The afternoon session saw an improvement as Piastri successfully finished a total of 120 laps.

His fastest lap was clocked at 1 minute and 7.008 seconds, implying that McLaren was testing on a modified, shorter version of the Circuit Paul Ricard track, rather than the configuration that hosted the French Grand Prix from 2018 to 2022.

On Thursday, Norris was behind the wheel, but Pirelli has not yet shared specifics about how he performed.

Similar to Piastri, Norris has been given the responsibility of evaluating Pirelli’s intermediate and wet weather tires intended for the 2026 season.

The year 2026 marks an important milestone for Formula 1, as it will introduce both new regulations for power units and changes to chassis design.

The regulations regarding tires have been adjusted as well.

Although the tires will continue to have a diameter of 18 inches, their width and outer diameter will be marginally decreased on both the front and rear axles.

Pirelli plans to carry out additional tests during the year to get ready for the upcoming rules changes.

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High-end Brand Joins F1 as Official Partner for 2025 Race Sponsorship

Formula 1 embraces a new high-end brand to the racing series…

High-end fashion label Louis Vuitton has formed an official partnership with Formula 1 and is set to sponsor the inaugural race of the season in Melbourne.

Louis Vuitton has entered into a decade-long partnership as an official collaborator.

This is included in a broader agreement with LVMH, which will introduce several of its high-end brands to the world of sports.

Tag Heuer has reportedly secured a deal valued at up to $1 billion, making it the official timekeeper for Formula 1.

They were the titleholders from 1992 until 2003.

In 2025, Tag Heuer will take over from Rolex, which has been a significant partner since 2013.

Title Sponsor for the 2025 Australian Grand Prix

The season opener at Albert Park, the Australian Grand Prix, will have Louis Vuitton as its official title sponsor.

In line with this, F1 has announced that Louis Vuitton's renowned 'Trophy Trunks' will be awarded to the top three competitors in Melbourne.

The season's opening race holds extra intrigue because it marks Lewis Hamilton's debut as a driver for Ferrari.

This marks the first occasion since 2019 that Melbourne is hosting the opening race of the season.

In a recent announcement, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali expressed excitement about Louis Vuitton becoming the title partner for their inaugural 2025 race. He emphasized that this collaboration brings together two world-renowned brands, both driven by a deep commitment to innovation, excellence, and creativity, making them both remarkable and enduring narratives.

"The arrival of Louis Vuitton into the fold not only elevates our sport but also honors the blend of luxury, skillful artistry, and the pinnacle of car racing competition. The year 2025 promises to be monumental for Formula 1, and I am thrilled to embark on it alongside our dedicated partners at Louis Vuitton."

Louis Vuitton's Chairman and CEO, Pietro Beccari, expressed great pride in the collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Formula 1, highlighting their mutual commitment to pursuing innovation, craftsmanship, and precision.

"The collaboration between our two realms is reflected in the expertise of our workshops and garages, as well as the skills of our craftsmen and engineers. It also honors the remarkable achievements of top drivers worldwide who continuously pursue excellence with each race."

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—

Ferrari's strategy for Lewis Hamilton's first year is described as "bold" yet "risky." "This decision is daring since there is potential for substantial improvements."

The decisions made by Ferrari in preparation for Lewis Hamilton's debut race have been described as "risky."

Following the end of last season, our reporters spoke with team principal Fred Vasseur, who disclosed that most of their Formula 1 car will undergo changes by 2025.

This is in spite of securing five grand prix victories in 2024 and achieving a runner-up position in the constructors' championship.

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"It's simple to get caught up in the winter buzz surrounding Ferrari during the offseason," Lewis Larkam mentioned on the Crash F1 podcast.

"There are often whispers coming from Italy…"

"Considering how they performed at the end of last year, there's no reason they can't be competitive once more."

"The season is expected to be closely contested, especially in the beginning. At least three or four teams will be competing fiercely, with Ferrari being among them."

During the pre-Christmas luncheon with Fred Vasseur, it was mentioned that nearly the entire car, about 99%, would undergo changes.

"I found it intriguing considering how strong their performance was at the end of last year."

"This decision might seem somewhat risky. However, it's a daring strategy since there's an opportunity for greater rewards."

Considering that they concluded the previous year with a solid standing, opting for this strategy is indeed daring. This decision is especially significant as attention shifts toward the upcoming 2026 regulatory changes.

"Ferrari has been pushing their car to its limits right from the beginning of this season."

A Ferrari issue that needs addressing

Connor McDonagh remarked on the podcast, "There's always a buzz surrounding Ferrari during the offseason."

"There are frequent claims in the Italian press about discovering half a second or a significant amount of horsepower."

Optimism is warranted due to last year's performance. Mid-season, they resolved their problems. Starting from the Monza race, it became a competition between McLaren and Ferrari.

For the first time in many years, they are progressing as expected during the season.

An area that requires improvement is the qualifying process, which was likely a weak point for Hamilton in the previous year.

One of their challenges is warming up the tires and maximizing performance for a single lap.

"Leclerc is likely the top qualifier among the drivers on the grid, but last year wasn't his best season, and I don't believe he was to blame for that."

"This is the primary issue."

"Furthermore, how do they handle when navigating fast corners? McLaren and Red Bull had the advantage in those situations."

"Exercise caution during the winter months; making a misstep could bring back the porpoising issue."

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Headline: Strong Assertion on Lewis Hamilton's Prospects with Ferrari's "Fast Car" in 2025 Formula 1 Season

Content: Juan Pablo Montoya shares his thoughts on Lewis Hamilton's potential success in the 2025 F1 season.

Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes that Lewis Hamilton is unbeatable if Ferrari provides him with a "fast car" in 2025. Montoya rejects any claims that Hamilton has lost his natural speed.

In the previous season, Hamilton faced challenges as he ended his 12-year stint with Mercedes.

After a hectic initial week at Maranello, Hamilton has regained his cheerful demeanor.

In Italy, Hamilton was introduced to his team of new mechanics and engineers prior to his initial drive in the 2023 Ferrari on the track.

The seven-time world champion is anticipated to participate once more later this week in Barcelona as Ferrari gets ready for pre-season testing in Bahrain.

Although Ferrari is anticipated to be competitive at the forefront once more, uncertainties remain regarding Hamilton's performance level.

Last year, he was able to qualify ahead of his teammate George Russell on just five occasions and frequently found it challenging to maintain a competitive speed over a single lap.

In an interview with Crash.net through CasinoApps, Montoya expressed the opinion that Hamilton might regain his former prowess if he has the right car.

"He stated that Lewis Hamilton faced a situation similar to what Fernando Alonso experienced."

"They maintain their full speed capabilities, yet they often only manage to qualify within the top 10. If their vehicle had the potential to win, their qualifying position would be significantly better."

"If Hamilton's car is quick this season, we could witness the Hamilton of the past—an unbeatable force, even for Max Verstappen. However, Ferrari faces the challenge of figuring out how to keep his motivation high."

Keeping an eye on Formula 1's regulations for 2026, a key element for teams in 2025 will be how they manage their resources and focus between this season and the next.

In 2026, there will be a complete overhaul of the power unit and chassis regulations.

Christian Horner, the head of Red Bull, has referred to the alterations in regulations as the most significant ever in the history of the sport.

Consequently, certain teams might give up on their aspirations for 2025 to concentrate fully on the upcoming year.

In 2025, Ferrari and McLaren are expected to make a significant effort, considering their impressive performance last season.

In 2026, Aston Martin and Mercedes could have an improved opportunity to compete for the championship.

Montoya commented, "Ferrari is focusing all its efforts to be competitive this season, while Mercedes can afford to be more cautious. Meanwhile, McLaren has a significant chance to maintain its dominance until the regulation changes in 2026, which might see them become just average."

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