Ferrari CEO warns F1 rivals Lewis Hamilton is ‘back in the game’

Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna has warned the team’s Formula 1 rivals that Lewis Hamilton has “put himself back in the game” with his move for the 2025 season.

The Italian marque will have a blockbuster line-up this term as Hamilton has come in alongside Charles Leclerc to create what is regarded as the best pairing on the F1 grid.

Both drivers are expected to be in Maranello next week as the Italian marque ramps up the preparations towards the latest season, Hamilton’s debut one with the storied team.

The Briton, embarking upon his second team switch, is poised to conduct simulator work prior to making his much-anticipated maiden outing in a Ferrari F1 car at Fiorano.

Earlier this month Hamilton penned a message on LinkedIn encouraging people to “embrace the change”, having made the choice to leave Mercedes after 12 seasons.

Hamilton took six Drivers’ titles and 84 victories with Mercedes, but he endured a tough 2024 as team-mate George Russell out-qualified him 19 times across 24 races.

However, Vigna, who has confirmed that Ferrari’s headline recruit will begin work with the team next week, has backed Hamilton to rediscover his best in a new environment.

“There is excitement, there is a great desire to start, to face the tests, Vigna said, according to the Italian publication Corriere della Sera.

“Change is always important and Hamilton has put himself back into the game.

“I loved reading his post on Linkedin at the start of the year, a powerful message not to give up hope in all areas. With him and Charles we will have fun.

“A guy who has won seven titles can transfer so much. If I talk to Fred [Vasseur, Ferrari boss] he emphasises his ability to give technical guidance, but not only that.

“He has a great desire for change, he’s not afraid.

“At the age of 40 he has put himself back into the game. He has embraced a different culture in many ways, compared to the Anglo-Saxon one.

“To me that post on Linkedin reminded me of when Indro Montanelli [Italian journalist who founded the La Voce newspaper aged 85 following a disagreement with Silvio
Berlusconi in 1994] decided change at the age of 80. I found it beautiful.”

Hamilton will be gunning to conclude his illustrious career with a record eighth Drivers’ Championship whilst also ending Ferrari’s protracted title drought since 2008.

The Maranello-based squad came close to banishing that barren run last term as it recorded five wins to wind up 14 points behind the eventual champions McLaren.

Vigna expressed that Ferrari’s progress last season, the second under Vasseur’s watch, made him “proud” as he tipped Hamilton’s addition to provide an extra “push”.

“Last year at the last race in Abu Dhabi I personally thanked the whole team, from Fred Vasseur to the mechanics: I am proud of the work done,” he added.

“Now there is a good atmosphere. It’s clear that it must always be maintained, that’s the beauty of the Ferrari spirit: it always pushes you to go further.

“It will give us a new push. Lewis will learn things from us and we will learn things from him. It’s like dancing, the important thing is not to lose the pace.”

When asked what his expectations with Ferrari are this season, Vigna answered: “Wheels on the ground. The fundamental thing is to learn from [previous] mistakes.”