Brundle: Hamilton's Ferrari move is a gift that keeps giving

Speaking on Sky Sports, Brundle analysed the significance of the seven-time F1 world champion’s transition, the challenges he will face, and Hamilton's prospects against Charles Leclerc, his new teammate at Ferrari.

The sight of Hamilton dressed in Ferrari red for the first time has already created a social media frenzy, with Brundle noting that "The Godfather-style image" of Hamilton at Maranello amassed 5.4 million likes. The sheer magnitude of the moment underlines how two of the sport’s most iconic names—Ferrari and Hamilton—are now joined in one of the most anticipated partnerships in F1 history.

Brundle acknowledged that Hamilton, now in his third Formula 1 team after McLaren and Mercedes, will be eager to prove that despite turning 40, he remains a force to be reckoned with.

He said: "He'll want to go there and show that he’s not over the hill. He wants to show he's made the right decision again, and I think he'll go there full of energy."

However, Brundle also pointed out the significant challenges Hamilton will face in adapting to Ferrari’s environment: "It’s a different language, a different system, and he’s left behind his comfort zone at Mercedes," he explained, referencing Hamilton’s long-time race engineer Peter Bonnington (“Bono”).

To counter this, Hamilton has brought back key personnel, including former physio Angela Cullen and manager Marc Hynes, to help ease the transition.

Brundle also highlighted Leclerc’s deep-rooted advantage at Ferrari; he added: "Charles has been there for seven years. He knows exactly where all the green buttons are, who makes things happen, and how the team functions."

The Monégasque driver’s familiarity with Ferrari’s operations could pose an initial obstacle for Hamilton as he integrates into the team that will at first be very foreign to him.

One of the key talking points surrounding Hamilton’s move is whether he remains at his peak. Brundle acknowledged that the Briton was outperformed by George Russell "quite a few times" over the past two seasons but dismissed suggestions that Hamilton is past his prime.

"At Silverstone last year, he had a chance to win the British Grand Prix. He won in Spa—yes, because Russell got disqualified, but he was extraordinary through practice in Las Vegas, even if he fluffed qualifying," Brundle recalled.

Despite acknowledging that "the best of Hamilton is behind him," Brundle insisted that "96-97% of Lewis Hamilton in a winning car is still good enough." He pointed out that Hamilton's experience and fresh motivation at Ferrari could reinvigorate his performance.

Hamilton’s partnership with Leclerc will be another key storyline in 2025. Brundle noted that Leclerc has improved his consistency, saying: "He’s stopped crashing as much. He had a habit of overdriving, but now he's the real deal and will take some beating."

Ferrari’s internal rivalry could play a decisive role in the championship battle. Brundle suggested that if Hamilton and Leclerc are evenly matched, they could take points off each other, similar to the situation at McLaren with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

"If they are close together, they'll start stealing points from each other, and that will make the drivers' championship difficult," Brundle warned.

Looking at the broader F1 picture, Brundle emphasised that the 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in history; he pointed out: "The regulations are mature, so we’re not expecting one team to suddenly jump ahead. The feeling is that Ferrari might have improved their car more than McLaren, and we know McLaren are confident in their data as well."

While Max Verstappen remains the favourite, Brundle cautioned against writing off any team before the first race, saying: "Until we see the cars on track in Melbourne, in full qualifying trim, we won’t know who has aced it."

The Briton also addressed Red Bull’s situation, particularly the internal turmoil that affected the team in 2024. While Verstappen managed to stay focused, Brundle believes the bigger concern is whether Red Bull has managed to regain the performance it lost toward the end of last season.

"Max will be nervously awaiting to see if they've recovered their pace, especially with Adrian Newey stepping back from the team," Brundle explained.

The former F1 driver turned Sky F1 pundit concluded by emphasising the magnitude of Hamilton’s move: "Ferrari is different. It’s a carbon fibre chassis painted red, but it’s more than that—you drive for a country, not just a team.

"The expectations, the politics, and the media that come with that can be challenging, but Hamilton will not be overwhelmed," Brundle maintained.

With pre-season testing on the horizon, all eyes will be on Hamilton as he embarks on what could be the defining chapter of his legendary career. Ferrari and Hamilton together may just be the "gift that keeps giving" as Brundle says—and Formula 1 fans will be watching every step of the way.