F1 insider warns rivals from ‘underestimating’ Lewis Hamilton’s debut Ferrari campaign

Bernie Collins warns rival teams over Lewis Hamilton's championship prospects during his first season at Scuderia Ferrari.

F1 insider warns rivals from ‘underestimating’ Lewis Hamilton’s debut Ferrari campaign

Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari garage (via Scuderia Ferrari)

Lewis Hamilton is all set to debut with Ferrari in the 2025 season. The seven-time champion is expected to return the Italian constructor to their glory in Formula 1. Hamilton put forth some notable results with the SF-25 during the test sessions. F1 insider Bernie Collins issued a warning to the rivals discounting the Briton’s championship chances with the Scuderia.

Lewis Hamilton would still have to work hard for championship contention after being outscored by teammate Charles Leclerc in the test sessions. Bernie Collins anticipates that Hamilton’s story with Ferrari would be interesting to watch. Moreover, she believes that the 40-year-old’s challenge with Maranello must not be ‘underestimated’ by the rivals.

I think it’s going to be a really interesting one to watch. I think the challenge of Lewis stepping into a Ferrari shouldn’t be underestimated.

Bernie Collins said, as reported by Motorsport.com
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Collins expects that Hamilton would face difficulties adjusting to Ferrari’s way of working, especially with the chassis development. The 38-year-old pointed out that modes of engine displayed on the challenger, such as harvesting, deployment, and others were differently placed from the others.

He’s never driven a Ferrari engine so real simple things like how the engine works, how the modes work, how the harvesting works, how the deployment works. They’re all different.

Bernie Collins added

Bernie Collins reveals Lewis Hamilton’s ‘biggest challenge’ at Ferrari in 2025

Although the steering wheel layout is partly on the driver, Bernie Collins insists that Ferrari’s layout is quite different from the rivals. Collins speculates that Lewis Hamilton would instinctively push different buttons while driving the car. Hence, the 38-year-old predicts that getting used to the big differences in the challenger would be a challenge for Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton (via Ferrari)
Lewis Hamilton (via Ferrari)

We hear different terminology on the radio. Where he instinctively pushes the buttons is going to be different. So I think there’s going to be big differences in the car that’s going to be a challenge for Lewis.

Bernie Collins noted

Ferrari managed to bring steady improvements to its chassis this season. The Italian constructor seems prepared to take on the challenge of fighting for both championships. Time will tell about how Hamilton fares at the Scuderia following the massive hopes banked on him by the Tifosi.