Helmut Marko outlines what Ferrari must give Lewis Hamilton to ‘improve incredibly’ in 2025

Lewis Hamilton is mere days away from his Ferrari debut in F1. The seven-time champion will be keen to get off to a good start in Melbourne.

Hamilton comes to the Maranello outfit after 12 record-breaking years at Mercedes, winning six drivers’ titles and eight constructors’ championships.

However, the Brit suffered a disappointing end to his spell with the Silver Arrows as they could not provide a competitive car in the ground effect era. Hamilton suffered the lowest finish of his career in 2024 with seventh.

Qualifying was a major issue for the 40-year-old last year as he only managed one front-row start all season. Teammate George Russell comprehensively beat Hamilton over one lap and in the head-to-head battle in the races.

In 2025, Hamilton is ‘energised and reinvigorated’ in the famous red colours of Ferrari. Many people in the paddock and fans worldwide will hope his stint in Maranello – which will likely be his last in F1 – will be a success.

However, his recent performances have cast doubt as to whether he can compete at the front with Ferrari. Helmut Marko has told the team exactly what they have to give Hamilton ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.

Helmut Marko says Ferrari must give Lewis Hamilton a car ‘capable of music’ so he can ‘improve incredibly’

Ferrari narrowly missed out on the constructors’ title in 2024 to McLaren by 14 points. The Maranello outfit will want to go one step further this year – but pre-season testing has raised some concerns.

Mercedes insiders were unconvinced of Ferrari’s speed on day one in Bahrain, stating that the car does not look good while the Brackley-based outfit appeared positive about the W16.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

Marko agreed that Ferrari were a ‘bit disappointing’ – but speaking in an interview with Servus TV, via Formel1.de’s YouTube channel, the Austrian says Hamilton cannot be underestimated.

The Red Bul chief advisor highlighted that the Brit can ‘improve incredibly’ at Ferrari, but stressed the SF-25 must be ‘capable of music’ for it to happen.

Asked about his initial feelings of Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, Marko replied: “An early carnival joke or something? You could not believe it.

“But you have to understand that he has won everything in the last few years. Mercedes has not been able to achieve a consistent winning record and Ferrari is Ferrari.

“It is a fascination like no other team and yes, he sees his chance and you must not underestimate Hamilton.

“We saw that in 2021, in these really tough campaigns. He can improve incredibly but of course he needs the necessary motivation, the car has to be capable of music.”

Can Lewis Hamilton get the better of Charles Leclerc at Ferrari?

Along with needing to get used to a new team and its environment, Hamilton has the very difficult task of battling with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari.

The Monegasque driver is perhaps the strongest on the grid over one lap and knows the Ferrari setup inside and out. Leclerc and Hamilton’s intra-team battle will be the most exciting of the 2025 season.

Drive to Survive already have ‘juicy’ plans as to how they will cover the pair’s duels on track. Hamilton will initially start on the backfoot as he gets accustomed to the team’s operations but could mount a challenge to Leclerc.

Ferrari chiefs want Hamilton to be number one in 2025 to capitalise on the fanfare he would produce if he breaks Michael Schumacher’s title record with the team.

But Romain Grosjean thinks Leclerc will be number one this season given his experience with the team. But he also stressed things could swing in Hamilton’s favour if he can get the better of him during the season.