"Anybody who changes team...": Sebastian Vettel reveals why Lewis Hamilton might face tough times at Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari in early 2024 has emerged as one of the most significant shifts in Formula 1 history. The seven-time world champion's departure from Mercedes marks the end of an era, setting the stage for one of the most intriguing storylines in the sport. Hamilton, who has spent over a decade with Mercedes and driven Mercedes powertrains throughout his career, will now face the task of adapting to an entirely different environment — one defined by Ferrari’s rich Italian heritage and unique team culture.

Lewis Hamilton’s transition from Mercedes to Ferrari is expected to be more than just a technical adjustment — it’s a cultural shift that could define his success at the Scuderia. Sebastian Vettel, a four-time world champion and former Ferrari driver, highlighted the significance of this change. "It’s big. Anybody who changes team, it’s a big move. New people you work with is probably the biggest one," Vettel noted via Wide World of Sports. "It’s a different culture. Obviously most of the teams are English, only two are Italian. That’s probably the biggest shift."

Vettel, who spent six seasons at Ferrari and came close to winning a championship with the team, understands the unique challenges that come with driving for the Prancing Horse. His deep connection with the team was influenced by his admiration for Michael Schumacher, Ferrari’s most successful driver. “I grew up watching Michael. He was my hero and he was most of the time in red, so to me it felt different because of that,” Vettel explained. “I'm not sure Lewis had the same dream, but I think it’s special for anyone who gets the chance to step into the red car.”
Aside from the cultural shift, Hamilton will face another significant challenge — the internal team hierarchy. Ferrari has built its team around Charles Leclerc, who has been part of their setup since the beginning of his career. Former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone raised concerns about Hamilton’s ability to establish himself as Ferrari’s primary driver. "He's been there all the way through so they are hardly going to dump him for Lewis. I'm not saying Lewis isn't possible, just that they will not stop looking after and hoping Leclerc’s going to get the job done," Ecclestone remarked.

For the first time in his career, Hamilton might not hold the status of a clear number one driver. Gaining the trust and support of the team will require more than just delivering results on the track — it will demand seamless integration into Ferrari’s tightly knit structure. Moreover, with Leclerc's established dominance within the team, outperforming him could be Hamilton’s toughest task yet.
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Despite the looming challenges, Vettel expressed his support for Hamilton’s new chapter. Driving for Ferrari remains one of the highest honors in Formula 1, and for a driver of Hamilton’s caliber, the opportunity to wear Ferrari red may be the ultimate test of his legacy.