Hamilton Hit With Three-Race Warning as New Crash Verdict Issued
Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari has not come without scrutiny, as expectations mount ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle has issued a stark warning, stating that Hamilton will have no more than three races to prove himself with the Scuderia. Meanwhile, a fresh analysis of his recent Barcelona testing crash suggests it may not be as concerning as it first appeared.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, left Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season to embark on a new challenge with Ferrari. His transition to the Italian team is one of the most significant moves in recent Formula 1 history, sparking widespread discussion on how quickly he can adapt. Brundle has made it clear that Ferrari will expect immediate results, dismissing the idea that Hamilton will have the luxury of a prolonged adjustment period. “At this level, there are no excuses for anybody, even rookies,” Brundle said. “You might give a rookie half a season to get their act together, maximum. But for someone like Lewis, they will expect him to evaluate the people around him and the car within two or three races.”
While Hamilton’s pedigree and experience make him a formidable competitor, his pre-season preparations have not been flawless. During a test session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Hamilton crashed Ferrari’s 2023 car in the final sector, damaging the suspension and aerodynamic bodywork. The incident initially raised concerns about his adaptation process, but according to respected F1 analyst Peter Windsor, the crash could actually be a positive sign.
Windsor, speaking via his YouTube channel, suggested that the accident was a byproduct of Hamilton feeling confident in the car. “My take is that it was actually a very good test for Lewis,” Windsor explained. “Yes, there was the shunt, but let’s look at the buildup to that shunt. It had nothing to do with a bump on the road or external factors. It was all tied to how good Lewis felt in the car and within the team.” He further pointed out that Hamilton appeared more comfortable in the 2023 Ferrari than he had been in a Mercedes for the past two seasons, which could indicate strong potential for the upcoming campaign.
Hamilton’s ability to extract performance from his new machinery will be under intense scrutiny, especially with Ferrari’s championship ambitions resting on his shoulders. Given the team’s struggles with consistency in recent years, Hamilton’s presence is expected to provide both leadership and on-track excellence. However, with Ferrari’s notoriously high-pressure environment, even a driver of Hamilton’s caliber will need to hit the ground running to avoid early criticism.
Another factor to consider is the dynamic between Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque driver has been Ferrari’s leading figure for several seasons, and while Hamilton’s arrival brings unparalleled experience, the team will need to manage their driver pairing carefully to maximize results. Any initial struggles for Hamilton could fuel speculation about Ferrari’s long-term driver strategy.
Despite the early challenges, Hamilton remains one of the most adaptable drivers in F1 history, having previously won titles with both McLaren and Mercedes. If Windsor’s analysis is accurate, his early struggles could simply be part of an aggressive learning curve, one that may position him as a serious title contender once he fully settles into the Ferrari setup.
With the 2025 season fast approaching, all eyes will be on Hamilton to see whether he can deliver the results Ferrari demands. A slow start could invite doubts, but if he proves Brundle’s warning unnecessary by finding his rhythm quickly, his move to Ferrari could mark the beginning of a new dominant chapter in his storied career.
