Ferrari are about to take a ‘risk’ with Lewis Hamilton’s first car after Frederic Vasseur hint

Lewis Hamilton is about to join a Ferrari team that finished runner-up in the constructors’ championship. They were just 14 points off title winners McLaren, the smallest margin since 2006.

That suggests Ferrari are standing on the precipice of ending their title drought, which stretches back to 2008. With minimal changes to the rules as the 2026 overhaul looms, most teams will be nearing the limits of their concept’s potential.

Indeed, it’s easy to go back through the year and pick out moments where they lost the points required. Carlos Sainz missed a race in Saudi Arabia, and while Oliver Bearman deputised ably with seventh place, the Spaniard may naturally have extracted more from the car.

There was also a double DNF in Monaco, while Sainz crashed out in both Azerbaijan and Canada. And those are just the obvious examples.

Sainz performed more than well enough to merit a new contract. But Ferrari let him go because seven-time world champion Hamilton indicated that he was ready to join.

The Scuderia have enjoyed their best season in years, suggesting he may once again have timed his move to perfection. Ferrari will see Hamilton as the difference-maker who can bring a winning edge to Maranello from next year.

Frederic Vasseur hints at Ferrari revolution for Lewis Hamilton’s first car

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur says the 2025 car won’t simply be an ‘evolution’ of its predecessor as expected. The general rule in F1 is that teams take an evolutionary or revolutionary approach each winter.

Speaking on the AutoHebdo podcast, journalist Dorian Grangier described Ferrari’s plan as a ‘risk’. While the rewards could be glorious, they could feasibly slip behind Mercedes and Red Bull and become F1’s fourth-fastest team if they get it wrong.

Ferrari’s car development in 2024 was hit and miss. While they nearly produced the best package on balance over the season, they also lost crucial ground in the summer after a hasty upgrade induced bouncing.

Corriere della Sera reported earlier this year that Ferrari were planning to overhaul their suspension during the off-season. It’s worth noting that Loic Serra, who worked with Hamilton at Mercedes, will be responsible for their new chassis.

Grangier said: “I don’t place McLaren as a big favourite [for 2025]. For me the dynamics are better currently at Ferrari.

“But once again for the new season, Frederic Vasseur said the car would be even more than an evolution – it will be another new car next year. It’s a risk. But that’s what they did this year and it paid off, so we might as well give it another try.”

The moment that suggests Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will be perfect Ferrari teammates

Hamilton may be able to drive his new car before winter testing. Under the rules, teams are permitted two filming days, albeit with limited mileage and unique tyres.

All mileage will be beneficial to the 39-year-old, who has to adapt not only to a new machine, but also to a new way of working. Hamilton could also drive a two-year-old Ferrari at Fiorano without the same restrictions.

New teammate Charles Leclerc has raced for the team since 2019, and been part of the family for nearly nine years now. That could give him a major advantage for the early part of next year.

Hamilton and Leclerc embraced in the F1 paddock following the Abu Dhabi GP, highlighting the warmth of their relationship. There’s clearly a great deal of mutual respect between the two already, which suggests Ferrari may have found a perfect combination.