Lewis Hamilton has a key trait that made Michael Schumacher a dominant force in the sport and it could mean title delight in 2025.
In Hamilton’s first week as a Ferrari driver, he enjoyed a glamorous unveiling outside Enzo Ferrari’s house and completed his first laps at the team’s Fiorano track.
But with pre-season testing at Bahrain set to begin on February 26, it’s almost business time for Hamilton and Ferrari as the Brit chases a record-breaking eighth world championship.
The 2025 season also marks the first time Hamilton has driven for a team other than Mercedes since 2013.
However, the presence of a superstar like Hamilton may be the perfect tonic to re-energise Ferrari’s crew as they look to pick up its first Constructors’ Championship in 17 years.
Hamilton also has the added benefit of being able to offer a fresh perspective and unique feedback when it comes to helping shape Ferrari’s car into one that can win a world title.
It is those types of insights that has three-time race winner Johnny Herbert adamant Hamilton can inspire Ferrari to greatness once again, much like Schumacher did during his best years on track.
“There’s always a human element that has to come into play,” Herbert told casinoutanspelpaus.io.
“Someone like Hamilton has that wonderful ability to be able to explain what is going on underneath them in the car and what they’re expecting from the car.
“The man that I always saw do that, probably for the first time, is Michael Schumacher. He made sure that Rory Byrne, Ross Brawn and Jean Todt had an understanding and they understood what Michael wanted from the car.
“That allowed them to go away and for Rory, especially the designer, to give him the tools that he needed.
“That’s the human element that Michael Schumacher gave to a team.
“That’s still important today and I think Hamilton is one of those who can bring that type of power to the team.”
There’s evidently been plenty of internal excitement at having a seven-time world champion in the building, but it does not match the feelings of the fans regarding Hamilton.
It was no more evident than when thousands of fans braved the cold and misty conditions to watch Hamilton’s first laps at Fiorano in January.
With the carrot of an eighth world title being dangled in front of him and perhaps the most passionate fanbase in the sport roaring him on, Herbert believes it has created the ‘perfect scenario’ for Hamilton and Ferrari.
“The motivation of Lewis is always very important,” Herbert said.
“I always remember that the motivation was so, so important to him. To go away in the winter, have a bit of a reboot, come back all fresh up but have that motivation is so important.
“From what Lewis has been saying so far, his motivation is definitely not lacking.
“I think Lewis Hamilton winning the championship this year would be the perfect scenario.
“I think Ferrari winning the championship would be brilliant for the sport. Ferrari have to translate it into success now with one of the best drivers.”
After pre-season testing wraps up on February 28, Hamilton has just over two weeks before the 2025 campaign begins on March 16 at the Australian Grand Prix.
Hamilton has already won in Melbourne twice before (2008 and 2015), but a third could be the most important of the lot.