After the hype, comes the strain and weight of expectation.
The curiosity in Lewis Hamilton’s first few weeks at Ferrari has been nothing in need of exceptional. Followers cramming themselves onto the bridge that overlooks the corporate’s Fiorano check observe will not be precisely uncommon, however the sheer numbers, the media presence, the makes an attempt to delve into lap occasions on a humid and chilly circuit when objects corresponding to consolation and procedures are prime of the agenda — the eye was enormous.
Ferrari’s social media accounts felt an enormous bump too, with each probability to see Hamilton in purple being lapped up by thousands and thousands. And I’m not exaggerating with the usage of thousands and thousands, as a number of posts on Instagram obtained comfortably over seven figures when it comes to interactions.
To be truthful to Ferrari, it has taken loads of alternatives to construct on the cravings of followers. With the testing of earlier automobile (TPC) outing at Fiorano being adopted by one other in Barcelona final week, after which much more Pirelli tire testing on the similar venue over the previous few days, there have been various probabilities to seize Hamilton in purple. And that’s even earlier than the discharge of the brand new driver overalls and crew equipment.
The content material is more likely to hold coming, as a result of it carries such vital worth, however with every passing picture or video of Hamilton driving a Ferrari we are going to all change into that bit extra accustomed to it, and the novelty will begin to put on off.
And that’s when the intense enterprise will start.
The shock of seeing No. 44 in purple could also be carrying off, however the drama it’s constructing is simply getting began.
Don’t get me unsuitable, Ferrari and Hamilton (and Charles Leclerc) have been working onerous already and will definitely depend the previous few weeks as critical enterprise, however there’s a swell of pleasure of anticipation at this stage of the 12 months. That’s going to present method to expectation and actuality, and no one is aware of precisely how that’s going to look.
Ferrari was actually spectacular within the second half of final 12 months, as was Leclerc, with the pair prime scoring within the two respective championships from the summer season break onwards. Had Ferrari managed to beat McLaren to the constructors’ title in Abu Dhabi it might have been a exceptional achievement, however the total rating from Zandvoort onwards suggests the momentum is with Fred Vasseur’s crew.
You possibly can learn how Leclerc is primed for a vital 12 months on a private stage in Edd Straw’s latest column, however Ferrari is in the same place as a crew total. It has constructed up a head of steam and put itself firmly within the dialog for successful championships heading into 2025, alongside McLaren and Crimson Bull. Something lower than that might be a disappointment.
There’s been little to recommend Ferrari will fail to ship on its promise, given the progress that has been displayed below Vasseur’s management. However that doesn’t imply there can be something simple about making an attempt to proceed that good type.
At this level, merely seeing Hamilton and Ferrari working collectively continues to be thrilling, however as soon as pre-season testing will get underway and the actual problem of tackling races involves the fore, then outcomes are going to be the principle supply of curiosity and positivity.
Hamilton didn’t be a part of Ferrari to ease into retirement. There may have been a number of causes, however even in case you simply take a look at it on a easy, sporting stage, he’s transferring from a Mercedes crew that has largely struggled within the floor impact period, to a crew that has gained races in the entire previous three seasons and proven higher week-to-week consistency.
If the Ferrari is aggressive, then the strain is immediately going to be excessive between the 2 teammates. I’m not predicting a foul relationship by any stretch, however when on one aspect of the storage there may be Leclerc, making an attempt to point out Ferrari that he’s nonetheless the motive force who will finally ship a drivers’ championship getting into his seventh season with the Scuderia, and the opposite is Hamilton, who routinely instructions respect wherever he drives given his unbelievable document, it’s not a easy dynamic.
But that can nonetheless be much better than if Ferrari will not be fairly in race-winning type at first of the season. Given the best way it ended final 12 months – and the one-two in Melbourne 12 months in the past – expectations are that the SF-25 can be a challenger, however fall in need of that focus on and issues may change into very tense, in a short time.
Leclerc has already construct a robust relationship with the Ferrari crew and its tifosi, however racing alongside Hamilton will make a brand new dynamic.
Hamilton can not afford to attend for much longer for one more correct shot at a drivers’ championship, and the large regulation adjustments of 2026 current a significant unknown. If it’s not this 12 months, then it may very well be a number of seasons earlier than one other probability presents itself.
And that might signify a barely extra pressing state of affairs for Leclerc, too. At 27 he has way more time on his aspect than Hamilton, in fact, however the Monegasque seems to be smoothing sure tough edges and producing extra constant race performances that recommend he’s very near — if not already at — his prime. The dynamic for him has additionally modified from being Ferrari’s future to Ferrari’s now.
In fact, each of these eventualities are pre-emptive, however that is Ferrari, and that is Lewis Hamilton. For higher or worse, neither will get the advantage of endurance or caveats. They’ve each achieved an excessive amount of, and have an excessive amount of potential.
There was a glimpse of it when Hamilton broken the SF-23 in the course of the TPC check at Barcelona, with the automobile requiring repairs earlier than it may run once more. The scramble to search out out what occurred, the protection such a second acquired — when different drivers have most definitely crashed throughout a TPC however by no means seen it reported — exhibits the extent of highlight that’s going to be on this partnership.
There are such a lot of permutations for a way this season may go, and the efficiency of the automobile will all the time be central to these. As soon as it runs in anger in Bahrain, the first-day-in-a-new-job bounce may have lengthy since been changed by the steely dedication of the rivals that exist inside Hamilton, Leclerc and Ferrari.
From then on, it would all play out in entrance of a world viewers, quite than just a few hundred at Fiorano and thru the lens of Ferrari’s social media channels. Whichever route it takes from that time goes to be field workplace.
