Valtteri Bottas Hopes Lewis Hamilton 'Bounces Back' at Ferrari

Valtteri Bottas is openly wishing his former Mercedes teammate, Lewis Hamilton, finds success at Ferrari, stating the seven-time World Champion "deserves" to achieve great results with the Scuderia. Hamilton's move to Ferrari, anticipated as a late-career surge, has proven challenging, with struggles to adapt to both the car and the team's power unit.

Why it matters:

• Hamilton's performance at Ferrari carries significant weight for his legacy and the team's future. A successful turnaround would not only solidify his status as one of F1's greatest but also potentially end Ferrari's long drought for a Drivers' Championship since 2008.
• The dynamic of a highly experienced champion like Hamilton grappling with a new team and car highlights the immense challenge of F1's competitive landscape, even for the best.

The Details:

• Struggling Start: Hamilton has faced difficulties adapting to the Ferrari F1 car and the Maranello team's engine since his highly publicized transfer.
• Inconsistent Performance: While showing flashes of potential, such as a lights-to-flag win in the Chinese Sprint, these moments have been followed by setbacks, leading to a mid-season slump.
• Hamilton's Resolve: Despite the challenges, Hamilton has expressed a positive attitude, issuing a rallying cry after an eighth-place finish at the Singapore Grand Prix. He stated, "I’m really proud of this team and want to help deliver the results they and the tifosi deserve."
• Focus on 2026: Both Hamilton and Ferrari are reportedly pinning significant hopes on the F1 2026 season, which will introduce all-new cars and engines, potentially resetting the competitive order.
• Bottas's Support: Valtteri Bottas, Hamilton's former Mercedes teammate, hopes for his success. Bottas acknowledges the difficulty of changing teams after a long tenure as a lead driver and entering a new environment.

Between the lines:

• Hamilton's public statements reflect a determined effort to integrate and succeed, but also hint at the internal pressures and high expectations within Ferrari. His declaration to "go the extra mile" and refuse for his time at Ferrari to be championship-less, unlike previous world champions who joined the team (Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel), underscores his personal commitment.
• The emphasis on 2026 suggests that the immediate focus might be on incremental improvements while preparing for a major regulation overhaul, which could offer a fresh start.

What's next:

• Whether Hamilton can secure a Grand Prix win or a podium finish in red this season remains uncertain, with hopes largely set on the significant regulation changes in F1 2026.
• Hamilton is aiming to secure a record-breaking eighth World title, which would also be Ferrari's first Drivers' title since Kimi Raikkonen's triumph in 2008. His determination to avoid the fate of other champions who joined Ferrari but didn't win a title points to his long-term ambition with the team.