Stefano Domenicali: “Hamilton doesn’t like Schumacher” / Formula 1

Even before the start of the 2024 Formula 1 season, the big news was clear: Lewis Hamilton would leave Mercedes at the end of 2024 to become a Ferrari driver. Formula 1’s most successful driver will compete for Formula 1’s oldest and most successful team in 2025.

The question will be: Will seven-time champion Hamilton find a way back to his old ways? Because the Brit, who is used to success, is currently chasing his form.

In the last five rounds of the World Cup in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi in 2023, as well as in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Australia in 2024, he had to admit defeat to his younger father George Russell in Mercedes. Hamilton has not finished in the top six since six races or the end of October – eighth in Interlagos, seventh in Las Vegas and ninth in Abu Dhabi 2023, then seventh in Bahrain 2024, ninth in Saudi Arabia, retired in Melbourne.

13-time GP winner David Coulthard says: “Everyone knows – if Hamilton puts his car in the best working window, he will give a performance. But right now? I have a feeling that mentally he is already at Ferrari.”

What awaits him there? Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali recently spoke about this with his colleagues in Italy’s Quotidiano. As the team’s longtime boss at Maranello, the 58-year-old Italian knows exactly what makes Ferrari tick.

The Imoleseer says: “If Lewis Hamilton comes to Ferrari, his starting position will be completely different from the past with Michael Schumacher. Schumi was the undisputed number 1 at Ferrari signed as number 2.

“Lewis, on the other hand, will have to face Charles Leclerc, and the Monegasque will not work as a water carrier.”

Schumacher’s former world champion Flavio Briatore also believes that Hamilton will face a headwind at Ferrari. “I think the Monegasque is underrated. Hamilton will struggle to stay ahead of Leclerc in 2025.

Australien-GP, Albert Park Circuit

01. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:20:26.843 h
02. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +2,366 sec
03. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +5.904
04. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +35,770
05. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +56,309
06. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1:33,222
07. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +1:35,601
08. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +1:40.992*
09. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1:44.553
10. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Lap
11. Alex Albon (T), Williams, +1
12. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, +1
13. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, +1
15. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, +1
16. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1
outside
George Russell (GB), Mercedes, accident
Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, engine failure
Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, Bremsdefekt

*20 second time penalty for braking in the fight with George Russell
Entry waived: Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams
(Alex Albon crash in free practice, no replacement chassis in Australia)

World Championship Standings (after 3 out of 24 Grands Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 51 points
02. Leclerc 47
03. Perez 46
04. Sainz 40
05. Plate 28
06. Norris 27
07. Russell 18
08. Alonso 16
09. Walk 9
10. Hamilton 8
11. Tsunoda 6
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 97 Punkte
02. Ferrari 93
03. McLaren 55
04. Mercedes 26
05. Aston Martin 25
06. Running Bull 6
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0