Ferrari appears well-positioned to provide Lewis Hamilton with the opportunity to challenge for his eighth Formula One world championship, according to former Scuderia driver Carlos Sainz. After three years with Ferrari, Sainz has moved to Williams for the 2025 season, making way for Hamilton, whose arrival has sparked widespread anticipation regarding the team’s title prospects.
Sainz, speaking at the launch of the new Williams FW47, expressed confidence in his former team’s capabilities. Ferrari had a strong 2024 season, finishing second in the constructors’ championship and demonstrating a competitive edge throughout the campaign. With Hamilton now joining Charles Leclerc, Sainz believes the team’s chances of fighting for the title have only increased.
“When I left Ferrari, I did feel the team and Charles were ready to fight for a world championship, and with Lewis joining, that chance is only going to increase,” Sainz stated. “When I look at Lewis’s results and his background and what he has achieved, I can only say that there will be a very high chance that he is going to be competitive for Ferrari. But like everything, it will all depend on how well he can adapt to the car and how well he can adapt to the team.”
Ferrari’s recent progress has been encouraging. The team made notable improvements in performance last season, consistently challenging Red Bull and McLaren. Their strong development trajectory and refined aerodynamic package put them in a position to support a driver of Hamilton’s caliber in his bid for another world championship.
The upcoming season will be pivotal for Ferrari as they aim to capitalize on their recent momentum. While Red Bull has dominated in recent years, their rivals, including Ferrari and McLaren, have closed the gap. Mercedes, Hamilton’s former team, struggled with car performance over the past two seasons, prompting his high-profile move to Ferrari in search of better title-winning prospects.
Sainz’s transition to Williams marks a new chapter in his career. The British team, which finished ninth in the constructors’ standings last year, has been in a rebuilding phase. Their focus remains on long-term development, with 2026’s regulation changes offering a potential opportunity to regain competitiveness. However, Sainz, along with his Thai-British teammate Alex Albon and team principal James Vowles, remains optimistic that Williams has taken significant steps forward with the FW47, potentially allowing them to be more competitive in 2025.
Meanwhile, controversy has emerged within the paddock regarding the FIA’s newly announced rule amendments that impose strict penalties for swearing. These regulations could result in heavy fines and even race bans for drivers who violate them, sparking frustration among competitors.
Albon acknowledged the growing discontent regarding the changes, stating that drivers were actively discussing the implications. “There’s definitely been discussions about it. We’re still ongoing about how we want to set out what we say around it,” he noted. “It is a delicate matter – do we think it’s right? Of course not.”
The new regulations are reportedly driven by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Last season, Max Verstappen was handed a community service punishment for swearing in a press conference, an incident that led to widespread criticism from drivers who felt they were being unfairly targeted. Many within the paddock believe the FIA should focus on more pressing matters rather than enforcing restrictions on language.
Albon further emphasized the financial aspect of the penalties, arguing that drivers should not be “monetized” by the FIA. There has also been ongoing frustration regarding transparency over how fine money is utilized. Last year, when drivers sought clarification on this issue, Ben Sulayem dismissed their concerns, stating that it was “none of their business.”
As the 2025 season approaches, tensions between the FIA and drivers may escalate if stricter enforcement of these new rules leads to penalties that impact race outcomes. However, the primary focus remains on the battle at the front, where Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has raised expectations of a closely contested championship fight.
The British driver’s ability to adapt to his new surroundings will be crucial in determining his success. With Leclerc already well integrated into the team and familiar with Ferrari’s operations, Hamilton will need to quickly establish himself within the Scuderia and extract the maximum potential from the car.
If Ferrari maintains the level of performance they displayed last season and continues their upward trajectory, Hamilton could find himself in a strong position to compete for an eighth world championship. Whether he can deliver on those expectations will depend on how well he adjusts to his new environment and how effectively the team develops their car throughout the season.
