Former Formula One driver Romain Grosjean has issued a warning about Ferrari’s potential challenges when Lewis Hamilton joins the team in 2025.
Grosjean, who previously worked alongside Charles Leclerc at Haas in 2016 when the Monegasque was a development driver, offers unique insight into the upcoming dynamic at the Italian team.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari marks only the second team change of his career, following his successful switch from McLaren to Mercedes.
The British champion will reunite with Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, with whom he previously worked in GP2 and the F3 Euro Series, as he pursues a record-breaking eighth world championship.
Lewis Hamilton might be too hot to handle for Ferrari, claims Romain Grosjean
Reuters
The move comes as Ferrari shows promising signs of improvement in Formula One.
Grosjean highlighted the potential management challenges Ferrari will face, particularly regarding Leclerc’s established position within the team.
“Charles is kind of the kids that they saw growing up there. So it’s not going to be easy to manage,” Grosjean told talkSPORT Driving.
The warning comes after Leclerc’s recent tensions with current teammate Carlos Sainz in Las Vegas, where frustrations emerged over perceived favouritism within the team.
Similar challenges could surface when Hamilton arrives, despite his existing relationship with team principal Vasseur.
The situation echoes Hamilton’s previous experience at Mercedes, where he faced notable clashes with teammate Nico Rosberg during their title battle in 2016.
Both drivers will enter the partnership with clear championship ambitions, according to Grosjean’s assessment.
“Charles wants his chance to be world champion, and then Lewis wants the chance to get that Eight World Championship that should probably have had,” the former F1 driver explained.
Grosjean believes Hamilton’s timing could prove advantageous for his title pursuit.
“Lewis could have made the right move at the right time, for sure, joining Fred Vasseur at Ferrari,” he noted.
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Lewis Hamilton is set to partner Charles Leclerc next season
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The move represents a significant opportunity for both drivers, with Leclerc seeking his maiden title while Hamilton aims to secure his place in history with an eighth championship.
Despite the potential challenges, Grosjean maintains an optimistic outlook for Ferrari’s future in Formula One.
“Ferrari’s definitely a team to keep an eye on, and they’re definitely on the rise for next year, which could be super exciting,” he told talkSPORT Driving.
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The former F1 driver envisions an exciting era of competitive racing ahead.
“All I really want as a fan is to see Ferraris’, McLaren, Red Bull, and hopefully, Mercedes, being at the front and fighting, and not knowing who is going to be on top of a weekend,” he said.
Grosjean believes this level of competition is crucial for the sport’s appeal.
“I think that’s what makes Formula One exciting,” he concluded.