Helmut Marko casts doubt on Hamilton’s Ferrari pace

Marko questions Hamilton's pace

Lewis Hamilton trails teammate Charles Leclerc on pace according to Red Bull's Helmut Marko, who claims Ferrari's new star driver could face motivation challenges if competitive results don't materialize quickly.

"In Bahrain, Leclerc was the much faster one,"

Marko told sport.de, analyzing Ferrari's pre-season testing performance.

"But that's normal. He knows the team, he knows the car. Hamilton drove a lot of laps, gradually improved, but was not quite at Leclerc's level."

The veteran Red Bull motorsport advisor's comments add another layer of scrutiny to Hamilton's high-profile move to Ferrari, which has captivated the Formula 1 world since its announcement.

Early testing insights

Hamilton joined Ferrari after 12 years and six world championships with Mercedes, targeting a record-breaking eighth title with the sport's most iconic team.

The fairytale nature of this partnership has dominated headlines, especially with the historical significance of potentially surpassing Michael Schumacher's record while driving for the team the German legend once led.

Testing results, however, suggest Ferrari may not have the package to immediately challenge for titles.

Despite reports from Italy claiming the SF-25 had found four tenths of a second in development, it reportedly fell short of McLaren's benchmark pace.

Industry analysis places Ferrari potentially fourth in the competitive order behind McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes.

Technical director Loic Serra and his team are reportedly still searching for optimal setup adjustments to unlock the car's true potential.

The teammate dynamic

Marko highlighted the natural advantage Leclerc has through his familiarity with the team and car.

Still, he acknowledged Hamilton's exceptional ability to adapt and improve.

"Only the first race is coming,"

Marko continued.

"And we know that a Hamilton, if the whole environment fits, can improve incredibly."

The Austrian also emphasized the importance of qualifying in the current Formula 1 era, particularly with Leclerc's renowned one-lap pace.

"One is a [multiple] World Champion, the other is chasing his first title, but is one of the best qualifiers,"

Marko said.

"And because the field is relatively close together, three or four tenths of a second difference in qualifying can make up three to five grid positions."

Motivation factor

Perhaps most significantly, Marko raised questions about Hamilton's potential motivation if results don't meet expectations.

"He went to Ferrari of his own volition,"

Marko added.

"He was looking for this new challenge and I think he will do everything he can to ensure that his expectations are met."

The Red Bull advisor then delivered a pointed observation about Hamilton's mindset.

"As I said, these are early days. And again, Hamilton can both supernaturally improve, but it could also be that if the factors don't fit together, he sees no chance of winning, that he then loses some of his motivation."

The true test of Ferrari's competitiveness and Hamilton's adaptation to his new team will come next weekend at the Australian Grand Prix, the opening round of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship.