The Lewis Hamilton era in scarlet red has been rather medium. A lackluster qualifying in Australia combined with a mid-tier race and poor strategy left the Brit feeling grim heading into Shanghai. There, he qualified on Sprint pole and won the Sprint, cruising in the lead from the start until the end of the race. In the race, he placed rather well, but both he and Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc were disqualified for technical breaches. Heading into the season, Ferrari must get on track, and these are the races they can do it in.
Races That Ferrari Driver Lewis Hamilton Can Win
Bahrain GP (4/13)
Bahrain has been a track that has fared well for Hamilton and Ferrari. Since 2014, Hamilton has won five of the races he has raced in the country. The last one, in 2021, came with his final season at Mercedes to which many consider that with a competitive car. In this Ferrari, Hamilton should be able to qualify well like he has here in the past, and should also be able to have a fine race. Not only that, but Ferrari has won seven times on this track, as the Scuderia have determined time and time again that their car is able to weather the heat and drive through the night with speed and precision.
Spanish GP (6/1)
The last edition of the race at the Circuit de Catalunya could be one to be remembered for the Scuderia. Hamilton has had many memorable finishes here, whether it be the podium in 2023, the come-from-behind strategy in 2021, or crashing with teammate Nico Rosberg in 2016, effectively ruining both of their races. With 12 wins, Ferrari is the most successful team in Formula1 history at this event. Combine that with Hamilton’s 12 wins and a car that tends to prefer purpose-built tracks over its city counterparts, and Ferrari could be in for one shocker of an upset over their counterparts.
British GP (7/6)
Everyone knows about Hamilton’s successes at home. He’s won on nine different occasions, including last year where he won for the first time since 2021, while in a heated title fight with Red Bull driver Max Verstappen. The man even has a straight dedicated to him, as the straight bordering the pit lane has been named after the nine-time champ, which was finalized in 2020. Add on the Ferrari and their recent power in 2022 as well as a top-five finish in Sainz last year, and the team from Maranello may knock at the door once again, especially at a track which seems as though Lewis could drive backward, and still manage to win.
Conclusion
Ferrari decided last year that they wanted to win now. It’s the reason you bring in a seven-time world champion and the man who holds more statistical records in F1 than many could ever dream of. Though gotten off to a rocky start, they still have time to kick it in gear and truly begin their fight towards the top.
Main Image: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
