Lewis Hamilton told why his Mercedes struggles might have an ‘upside’ for Ferrari next season

Lewis Hamilton is about to say goodbye to Mercedes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after 12 exceptional seasons with the Silver Arrows.

Ferrari will be counting down the days until Lewis Hamilton is able to make his debut in one of their cars ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Mercedes and Hamilton have shared unprecedented success and while Hamilton will be 40 by the time he takes part in his first Grand Prix for Ferrari, he will still back himself to challenge for an eighth title next year.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been the scene of five Hamilton victories but also two heartbreaking moments, including Max Verstappen dramatically winning the 2021 title and Nico Rosberg pipping him to the 2016 championship before immediately retiring.

The seven-time world champion will hope his first visit as a Ferrari driver in 2025 is another positive memory to add to his incredible career, but he has several issues to work through first before getting there.

Hamilton’s qualifying pace has been a concern and he’s struggled to understand this generation of ground effect cars.

Alex Jacques was speaking on the F1 Nation Podcast and believes that there may be an ‘upside’ for Ferrari next and new teammate Charles Leclerc this season if it takes Hamilton some time to get up to speed with next year’s car.

Why Lewis Hamilton’s struggles at Mercedes might have an ‘upside’ for Ferrari in 2025

Jacques was asked if he thought Ferrari would be concerned about what they’re seeing from Hamilton and he said: “No, for a couple of reasons.

“You’re getting a regulation reset in 2026. So if he just doesn’t get on with this type of car, there’s a brand new reg set and you can just run and run and run and just get him in the simulator and find a turn around.

“Max Verstappen was asked about this early in the week. You never lose the core talent to win seven titles.

“So, age might mean a bit of depreciation, but I don’t think they’ll be concerned and the other thing is if he takes a year to get up to speed.

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“One of the key things that’s going to decide the driver’s title next year is how they split the points.

“If Ferrari split the points 50-50 and McLaren split the points 60-40 either way, George Russell’s got a rookie teammate next year, we don’t know how Antonelli is going to do but Max Verstappen will be taking the lion’s share of points at Red Bull.

“So, no matter how quick that car is Max Verstappen will be taking the lion’s share of it.

“So, if Lewis takes a few races to get up to speed it kind of has an upside for Ferrari if Charlotte Leclerc can deliver.”

Lewis Hamilton is already the most successful driver at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Hamilton has won more races in Abu Dhabi than any other driver but his chances of adding another victory to his tally this Sunday seem distant at best.

Verstappen could match Hamilton’s tally if he wins his fourth race on the bounce in the United Arab Emirates desert, but Red Bull also appear to have ground to make up to McLaren and Ferrari.

Leclerc will know that he can help Ferrari win their first Constructors’ Championship in 16 years if he can overturn a 21-point deficit to McLaren.

That will be easier said than done considering the form Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are in.

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Leclerc would love to set down a market ahead of Hamilton’s arrival as the driver who led Ferrari to their first title since 2008.

It’s going to be a fascinating battle between the two drivers next year, but Hamilton won’t want to get off to a slow start knowing how high the standards are at Maranello.