Just ten races left for the 2024 F1 season to come to an end. But, at the end of the season, some goodbyes will follow. Lewis Hamilton will move out of the Mercedes garage after 12 years and shift to Ferrari replacing Carlos Sainz. Yes, the highly anticipated, colossal move is almost knocking at the door. With two wins this season, both Hamilton and Ferrari would gain new energy. After all, the F1 icon is ready to walk into the Maranello headquarters.

However, concerns aren’t leaving Ferrari’s side. This time, the Red Squad worries about their golden boy, Charles Leclerc. In many races, despite having a good car or a great position, the Monegasque has repeatedly failed to win races. Given his talent and speed, at least 10 Grands Prix wins would’ve been a cakewalk. But as the saying goes- ‘the things you think, never happen’.

Amidst Ferrari’s trouble, F1 pundit Leo Turrini calls out John Elkann’s commercial gamble with Lewis Hamilton. In his journal for Quotidiano, the expert said: “With and against Hamilton he [Charles Leclerc] is playing his image and a piece of his career. If he slows down, he’s in trouble. (By the way, Lewis has already won twice in 2024, but Elkann’s involvement was just a commercial move. It really takes patience in a world full of supposedly competent people!)” 

What does Turrini imply? His implications on Leclerc’s situation are clear; the 26-year-old has to keep up with his pace even against Lewis Hamilton. If he slows down- it’s game over. On the other hand, given Ferrari‘s problematic cars and upgrades, John Elkann, the lynchpin of the team, may have gone to the extremes of ‘commercialization’. This means, that he went beyond his limits to bring Hamilton, but how fruitful will it be if the cars aren’t great?

Lewis Hamilton’s double win before the summer break could be a good sign for Ferrari

Finally, after a two-year dry spell, Lewis Hamilton won his first race at the British GP earlier this year. But he didn’t stop there, with repeated podiums and another win in Belgium (which he inherited after George Russell’s DSQ), Hamilton is very much back in the game. This has a positive signal for Ferrari. Can the ‘Billion Dollar Man’ of F1 become the key to redemption? Can the either way round also happen? There are too many queries that 2025 will answer.

Meanwhile, John Elkann’s “Hamilton and Ferrari have found each other,” is under question. Why? If the machinery isn’t great enough to bring a win or title, then the ‘found each other’ point becomes null and void. If Elkann or Ferrari’s deal with Lewis Hamilton is purely commercial, that is, business-oriented, then there’s no saying anything further. However, if they’ve truly found each other, then both parties have to strive for glory.

We know, the Mercedes star is here to stay, and his decision to move to Ferrari must have come after intense brainstorming. Both Hamilton and Fred Vasseur’s team must have reached a mutual understanding of what they want and what they don’t. However, the stakes are high and the excitement is nerve-wracking. Let’s see what 2025 has in store for Lewis and Ferrari. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.