Lewis Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari has been one of the most talked-about moves in Formula 1 history, and early signs suggest he is already feeling at home with the Scuderia. According to reports from Gazzetta dello Sport, Hamilton has been highly impressed with Ferrari’s F1 machinery after testing multiple cars, including the SF-23 and an adapted version of the 2024 challenger. These early indications could spell trouble for Mercedes, his former team, as they struggle to regain competitiveness ahead of the 2026 regulation changes.

Despite Ferrari’s well-documented struggles with tire wear and aerodynamic inconsistencies in recent years, Hamilton has reportedly found the handling of the cars to be a significant improvement over his recent experiences at Mercedes. This is a major shift, considering Mercedes has been plagued with performance inconsistencies since the new ground-effect regulations were introduced in 2022. While the Silver Arrows finished fourth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2024, Ferrari surged to second place, showing strong development in the latter half of the season.

Hamilton’s smooth adaptation to Ferrari’s setup suggests that he could hit the ground running when the 2025 season begins. With over 100 laps completed in Ferrari machinery during his private testing sessions, the seven-time world champion appears to be quickly adjusting to his new team’s philosophy. This bodes well for Ferrari, as they aim to dethrone Red Bull and return to championship-winning form.

Meanwhile, Mercedes is at a crossroads, with George Russell expressing cautious optimism about the team’s 2025 car development. While they have been working on long-term upgrades that couldn’t be implemented in 2024, the upcoming regulation overhaul in 2026 presents a dilemma. Teams must decide whether to continue pushing upgrades for 2025 or shift their focus entirely to the new regulations. If Mercedes struggles again in 2025, Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari may look like an even more strategic move in hindsight.

For now, Ferrari fans have every reason to be excited. If Hamilton’s early impressions hold true and the team continues its upward trajectory, 2025 could be the year the Scuderia finally ends its championship drought.