Lewis Hamilton underlines why he could end up regretting Ferrari switch

Lewis Hamilton's enthusiasm for having a competitive car seemed to overshadow the reality of his departure from Mercedes at the end of 2024. So much so that he might now be regretting his snap decision to join Ferrari.

Hamilton has had only four sessions in the Mercedes W15, yet the seven-time world champion is already captivated by the potential of their 2024 car in narrowing the gap with Red Bull.

Despite qualifying ninth for the Bahrain Grand Prix, with his teammate George Russell securing third place, Hamilton's focus on race setup might just enable him to catch up to Russell with the right strategy.

The 39-year-old might find it typical that, with only 24 races left with the Silver Arrows, the team has developed their best car since his 2021 title challenge. Unfortunately, he won't have much time to enjoy it as his lucrative move to the Scuderia signals the end of his 12-season tenure with the Silver Arrows.

Following a disappointing qualifying performance, Hamilton's optimism is uncommon. However, the prospect of competing for wins has reignited his passion for racing.

“The car is really fantastic, it’s real big improvement from previous years, a lot more stable, a lot more fun to drive,” Hamilton told the press in Bahrain. “And we still have work to do, as you can see, but for George to be three-tenths off Red Bull or off Max, it’s incredible.

“It shows what’s possible and I think we’ve just got to continue to add performance and I mean, if that’s our platform from here we can definitely chase through the rest of the season.”

In Formula 1, hindsight is often enlightening. Many initially viewed Hamilton's departure from McLaren, the team where he first claimed the world championship, to join the burgeoning Mercedes project in 2013 as a significant error in judgment. However, this bold move led to a period of dominance, with Hamilton securing six titles in seven seasons and solidifying his status as one of the greatest drivers of all time.

Hamilton's decision to move to Ferrari is arguably even more impactful due to the teams' recent close rivalry, contrasting with Red Bull's dominance. While some viewed this as a slight to Toto Wolff and a return to Fred Vasseur, the Austrian supremo might now see it in a more positive light after Russell outperformed Hamilton in Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying.

Nonetheless, Ferrari is widely considered the main contender against Red Bull this season, especially as Charles Leclerc lines up alongside Max Verstappen on the front row. If Ferrari edges out Mercedes to secure second or even first place in the constructors' championship this season, it would further validate Hamilton's decision to join the faster team.

Presently, Hamilton is savoring his final moments in the W15 with its distinctive silver-black hybrid design. However, if Russell or Hamilton clinches a victory in Bahrain on Saturday, doubts about jumping the gun may intensify.