Valtteri Bottas on Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari Transition: 'Only Time Will Show'

Former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas offers a nuanced take on Lewis Hamilton's debut season with Ferrari, acknowledging the seven-time world champion's talent but emphasizing that adapting to the new environment and car will take time. Despite flashes of brilliance, Hamilton's transition has been challenging, leading to speculation about his ability to fully integrate with the Scuderia, a situation Bottas, with his own experience of team changes, understands well.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton's highly anticipated move to Ferrari marked a pivotal moment in Formula 1. His ability to adapt to a new team after over a decade at Mercedes is crucial not only for his legacy but also for Ferrari's championship aspirations. A successful integration could reshape the competitive balance, while prolonged struggles would be a significant storyline for the sport.

The Details:

• Hamilton's switch to Ferrari at the start of the 2025 season was one of F1's most significant driver moves in recent history.
• He has achieved some notable results, including a sprint race victory in China and several fourth-place finishes in Imola, Austria, and Silverstone.
• Despite these moments, both Hamilton and Team Principal Fred Vasseur have admitted they may have "underestimated the challenge" of such a major transition.
• Bottas's Perspective: Having partnered Hamilton at Mercedes from 2017 to 2021, Bottas understands the dynamics of sharing a garage with the Briton and the difficulties of adapting to a new team after years of stability.
  • Bottas hopes Hamilton "will bounce back" but notes that "time will show if he will."
  • He highlights the difficulty of leaving a long-standing role as the "lead man" at Mercedes for a "very different environment" at Ferrari.
• Comparison to Personal Experience: Bottas drew parallels to his own career moves between Williams, Mercedes, and Alfa Romeo/Sauber, emphasizing that adapting depends on the team and the car's characteristics.
• He acknowledged that he cannot fully comment on Ferrari's internal operations or struggles, as he is not privy to the team's inner workings.

The Big Picture:

With six race weekends remaining in the 2025 season, Hamilton currently sits sixth in the drivers' standings with 125 points, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc by 48 points. Ferrari is in a tight battle with Mercedes for second place in the constructors' championship, adding an ironic twist to Hamilton's transition story.

What's next:

Bottas's message to his former teammate is one of empathy and optimism, underscoring that even for a talent like Hamilton, significant change requires time and patience. The remainder of the 2025 season will be critical for Hamilton to further integrate and demonstrate his full potential with Ferrari, setting the stage for what could be a make-or-break 2026 campaign.