
With the final two events of the Formula 1 World Championship on the horizon, it’s natural to think that we could have done without such a packed schedule. With 25 races and six sprint races, the season has been extremely intense. Additionally, some circuits haven’t added much excitement to the season.
Take the Las Vegas circuit, for example. While not particularly memorable, it had the honor of celebrating Max Verstappen’s fourth consecutive victory, placing him among the elite of F1’s great champions.
With the drivers' title already decided, the fight for the constructors' championship remains open, seemingly leaning toward McLaren. With a 24-point lead over Ferrari and one sprint race left, only an extraordinary event could prevent McLaren from taking the title.
The Losail circuit appears to favor the Woking team more than Maranello. Ferrari, following a disappointing performance in Las Vegas, missed a significant opportunity, partly due to a resurgent Mercedes. After the blackout following the Monaco GP, Maranello’s team has strung together a series of disappointing results, further complicating their title chase.
Even though Red Bull is mathematically still in the race, with a 53-point gap and effectively only one competitive car, their hopes have all but vanished. Meanwhile, in a sort of mini championship, Haas, Alpine, and Racing Bulls are competing for mid-field positions, with only four points separating them.
Looking ahead to the upcoming race at Losail, we hope for at least an exciting race, as has often been the case in the past. However, attention is already turning to the next season, marked by several changes, most notably Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari. For a global brand like Ferrari, it’s a logical move. However, some remain skeptical about replacing a capable driver like Sainz with a forty-year-old who may have already peaked. Ultimately, the track will give the final verdict.
Hamilton’s arrival will also test Leclerc’s value. Facing a driver of Hamilton’s caliber, Leclerc will need to prove he is up to the challenge. While logic suggests that the younger, more skilled Leclerc should prevail, Hamilton is not an opponent to be underestimated, especially psychologically.
I’m curious to see how this situation unfolds, as everything will depend on the success of the 2025 project. Otherwise, it could be yet another battle among non-top teams, as has often been the case in recent years.
Additionally, Leclerc, in F1 since 2018 and with Ferrari since 2019, still needs to demonstrate that he has acquired the composure and race management skills required. These aspects currently mark a significant difference between his career and Verstappen’s. Leclerc has shown talent, but immaturity and excessive emotionality continue to hinder his potential.
The 2025 season will be crucial for him. If he doesn’t address these shortcomings, he risks further jeopardizing his career. In the end, what will matter is the stopwatch, not the controversies or media hype that Hamilton’s arrival might generate.
© Simone Marchetti