Mika Hakkinen fears Ferrari star Lewis Hamilton is following the same path that ended his F1 career

Lewis Hamilton’s longly awaited debut with Ferrari is on the horizon after moving over from Mercedes.

The sensational switch marks arguably the most exciting driver transfer in F1 history as the 39-year-old embarks on his new adventure. Hamilton has told Ferrari fans he is ready to go as he searches for his record-breaking eighth title.

However, the Brit’s form in 2024 has drawn concerns that he will be unable to perform with the Maranello outfit. Hamilton struggled to find consistency with Mercedes during the ground effect era, regularly being outqualified and beaten by teammate George Russell.

Despite winning two races in 2024 and showing some moments of brilliance, the seven-time champion suffered his lowest finish in a championship with seventh. Hamilton was ‘really hurting’ from his qualifying performances as he was eliminated in Q1 on four occasions.

The 39-year-old made his frustrations with his Mercedes abundantly clear, even hinting at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix that it was his last chance to perform with the team after limping home P10.

Hamilton will be hoping that his new surroundings at Ferrari will be the reset he needs, but two-time champion Mika Hakkinen fears that he may be on the same path that put an end to his career.

Mika Hakkinen says it will be ‘difficult’ for Lewis Hamilton to regain his sharpness at Ferrari

After winning the 1998 and 1999 titles with McLaren, Hakkinen failed to defend his championship in 2000, losing to Michael Schumacher by 19 points.

In 2001, the Finn struggled to find consistency as he finished fifth in the standings with two wins and three podiums. Hakkinen left F1 that year after he – by his own admission – lost his sharpness and could not recover.

Speaking with RacingNews365, the 56-year-old fears Hamilton is on that same path and form his experiences, it will be ‘difficult’ for the Brit to regain that form at Ferrari.

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“We are drivers ourselves, so we know how it is. If you as a driver get the idea that you are losing sharpness… In my case, that led to inconsistency and this sport does not like that,” he said.

“If you are fast, you have to stay that way. Teams do not like it when you fall back, but you have to realize that yourself.

“After all, it’s difficult to say to yourself, ‘this is it, it’s enough’. Lewis has won so many championships, so I can imagine what a driver like him feels inside. Of course, he feels very strong inside and he has self-confidence.

“He thinks, ‘yes, I can do this because I know exactly how Formula 1 works, how racing cars work and how engineers ensure more performance on the car’. But if you lose that sharpness, it’s difficult to recover. Will that suddenly change next year? Well, I speak from my own experience when I ask myself that. It will be difficult.”

Charles Leclerc will be fierce competition for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari

Hamilton will be desperate to improve his fortunes at Ferrari, but he will face a huge challenge going up against Charles Leclerc, who has been well-established with the team since 2019 and is one of the strongest drivers over one lap.

Guenther Steiner says Hamilton needs the challenge of Leclerc as the Monegasque driver will not be easy to beat. The 39-year-old will want to prove himself at Ferrari and his teammate will be a strong benchmark in 2025.

Ferrari are set to give Leclerc and Hamilton equal treatment this season as they look to take the fight to rivals McLaren and Red Bull, especially after losing the Constructors’ Championship to the former by 14 points.

Frederic Vasseur has hinted his drivers will be allowed to race other in 2025, setting up an exciting battle between Leclerc and Hamilton that will be on everyone’s mind throughout the season.