Mika Hakkinen points out Lewis Hamilton’s potential Ferrari pitfalls

Mika Hakkinen anticipates that Lewis Hamilton will encounter a formidable test in his pursuit of an eighth world championship upon his transition to Ferrari in the upcoming season.

The seven-time F1 World Champion has chosen to embark on a new chapter in 2025, departing from Mercedes after over a decade and securing six of his drivers’ titles.

Joining Ferrari to take the place of the departing Carlos Sainz, Hamilton will undergo a significant change, having raced solely with McLaren and Mercedes since his Formula 1 debut in 2007.

With Ferrari's last driver's title secured by Kimi Raikkonen in 2007, Hakkinen, a two-time F1 World Champion, suggests that Hamilton will confront a substantial challenge in adapting to the dynamics of the Italian team upon his move next year.

“I can see that he wants to win, of course, like everybody else wants to win,” he told PlanetF1.com ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, when asked for his thoughts on Hamilton’s sensational team move.

“I think he probably experienced that, with the Mercedes, maybe he thinks the Mercedes isn’t able to give him a car where he can win.

“Probably he’s seeing the opportunity that, with Ferrari, they can bring him a car where he can win.

“But it’s quite a big change for him, because he’s been in a British team – let’s call it this way – for so many, many years.

“To now change to an Italian team, where he doesn’t have experience, it can be quite a big change for him – to understand the philosophy, and how they work.

“This has nothing to say they don’t work well or they don’t do the right thing, but it’s a big change.”

Mika Hakkinen: Charles Leclerc won’t make it straightforward for Lewis Hamilton

However, as Hamilton and Mercedes appear to be no nearer to challenging for the title in 2024 than they were at the onset of the current regulations two years ago, Hakkinen remarked that the change of environment could significantly benefit the British driver.

“For the moment where he’s in his career, it must be very exciting and motivating for him to continue with this great sport,” he said.

“I think it opens up opportunities to other drivers, too, this year is a big year because so many contracts are finishing and there’s going to be a lot of changes.”

But is it the environment in which he can win a record-breaking eighth title, and finally topple the record of seven that he shares with Michael Schumacher?

“That’s impossible to say. It’s all about the car,” the Finn replied.

“If they’re able to build the car and fix the problems that they have, then there is a possibility.”

As Hamilton transitions to Ferrari, reaching the age of 40, he will find himself competing against the team's top driver, Charles Leclerc.

The young Monegasque has demonstrated both speed and determination, positioning himself as a potential contender for the world championship when provided with competitive machinery.

With such a strong adversary in the other seat, Hakkinen believes Hamilton will face significant challenges in outperforming his new teammate.

“You have Charles Leclerc over there, and he has been with the team for a long time,” he said.

“He’s a very talented young driver and the car is tailor-made for him. So it’s not going to be so straightforward, in my opinion.”

With the allure of Ferrari well known to all F1 drivers, due to their history and prestige over more than seven decades of racing in the sport, is Hakkinen surprised to have seen Hamilton take such a risk for the final years of his career?

“I think it’s purely to have a change,” he said.

“He’s been at Mercedes for so long, and he has achieved everything with Mercedes – they have reached the pinnacle of results.

“I think he wants to now go to another team and try to find the same type of journey, and that, one day, they can become winners. But it’s all about people. It’s not about wishbones or uprights or wings, it’s about the people.”

Having won his own two titles with McLaren in the late 1990s, was Hakkinen himself ever tempted to make the switch to Maranello and race in red?

“No,” he laughed.

“When I was racing, they probably would have been happy to have me. But Michael Schumacher was there. I didn’t want to be next to him!”