Valtteri Bottas Hopes Lewis Hamilton Finds Old Form at Ferrari

Valtteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton's former Mercedes teammate, believes the seven-time world champion will have an easier second season with Ferrari and hopes he can rediscover his championship-winning form. Hamilton has faced a challenging debut season with the Scuderia, extending a difficult period that began with the current ground-effect regulations.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari was one of the biggest stories in recent F1 history, and his struggles to adapt have been a major talking point. A resurgence from Hamilton at Ferrari would not only be a compelling narrative but could also significantly alter the competitive landscape, potentially bringing Ferrari back into consistent championship contention.

The Details:

• Hamilton has yet to secure a podium finish in his 20 starts with Ferrari, a new team record, and currently sits sixth in the drivers' standings, 64 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
• Bottas, who raced alongside Hamilton for five seasons at Mercedes, suggests Hamilton's struggles are understandable given the "big change" involved.
  • "He spent such a long time here. He was so used to how the team works, and how he knew all the people by heart," Bottas explained in an exclusive interview with RacingNews365.
  • Moving to a team with a "completely different mindset, all the new people around, and you also have a different kind of car to drive, a different kind of power unit, and it's not easy."
• Bottas, drawing from his own experiences moving between teams (Williams to Mercedes, and then to Sauber), emphasized that the second season is "way easier."
  • "You've done all the basic prep over 12 months, and it's just carrying on from where you left off from the last race of the previous year."
  • "You've more time to process everything and fine-tune things, whether it's about yourself or the team members."
• Hamilton also has the prospect of new regulations in 2026, which will introduce a new power unit and associated aerodynamic changes, potentially suiting his driving style better.

What's next:

Bottas is optimistic that Hamilton will approach the 2025 season with significantly more confidence, having a full year of experience at Ferrari under his belt. The anticipation is that a more settled Hamilton, combined with potential regulatory shifts, could see him return to the top tier of performance he consistently showcased during his Mercedes tenure.