Ferrari Hit with Favouritism Accusations as Hamilton Era Begins

Maranello, Italy, Oct. 10, 2025 — The start of a new Formula 1 season is supposed to mark a fresh beginning for Ferrari — but before a single lap of racing has even been completed, the team finds itself embroiled in controversy.

As Lewis Hamilton prepares to make his official debut for Ferrari following his dramatic switch from Mercedes, accusations of favouritism have emerged — with fans and pundits claiming that the Scuderia is already tailoring its 2025 campaign entirely around the seven-time world champion.

The British driver joined Ferrari this year in pursuit of an unprecedented eighth world championship title, replacing Carlos Sainz, who has since signed with Williams. But while Hamilton’s arrival has injected renewed optimism and global attention into the team, it has also reignited concerns about internal politics and the treatment of teammate Charles Leclerc.

A Divided Garage?

Speculation of favouritism began circulating after reports surfaced suggesting that Hamilton’s side of the garage has received priority access to new components during the winter development phase. According to Italian media outlet Corriere dello Sport, Ferrari engineers “redirected significant resources” toward Hamilton’s setup during simulator sessions at Maranello — an allegation that Ferrari has neither confirmed nor denied.

“Lewis is the new centre of gravity at Ferrari,” said former F1 team strategist Riccardo Musconi, now a pundit for Sky Italia. “Everything from aerodynamic testing to simulator scheduling appears to be built around him. It’s understandable — he’s chasing history — but it’s risky when you have a talent like Leclerc on the other side.”

Ferrari insiders insist the team remains balanced, but tensions may already be rising. Leclerc, a lifelong Ferrari driver and local hero in Monaco, has previously spoken about wanting “equal footing and equal opportunities” within the team.

When asked during a recent press conference about rumours of Hamilton receiving special treatment, Leclerc replied diplomatically:

“I trust the team to be fair. Lewis brings enormous experience, and if I can learn from that, it will help us both. The important thing is Ferrari wins — not who gets what first.”

Hamilton’s Arrival Brings Pressure and Expectation

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has been described as the most significant driver transfer in Formula 1 since Michael Schumacher’s shift from Benetton in 1996. The British star, now 40, made clear his intentions from the outset: to deliver Ferrari’s first drivers’ title since 2007 and secure his record-breaking eighth championship.

In his first media appearance in red, Hamilton spoke of the “romance and responsibility” of joining Ferrari:

“When you put on this uniform, you feel the weight of history. My goal is to bring this team back to where it belongs — at the very top.”

However, the immense spotlight surrounding his move has also intensified scrutiny of every decision made by team principal Frédéric Vasseur and the technical staff. Fans of Leclerc, especially in Italy and Monaco, have flooded social media with concerns that their driver could once again play “second fiddle” — echoing Ferrari’s infamous years of favouritism during the Schumacher–Barrichello era.

Pre-Season Testing: The First Real Comparison

The debate will finally meet reality when pre-season testing begins in Bahrain on Wednesday, running through to Friday. This three-day session will give fans their first real look at how Hamilton and Leclerc compare in equal machinery.

The SF-25, Ferrari’s latest challenger, is said to feature a completely redesigned rear suspension, improved energy recovery systems, and a lighter chassis — all aimed at closing the gap to Red Bull’s dominant RB21.

Insiders report that both drivers will alternate running programs, focusing on reliability and tire degradation, but many will be watching lap times closely for signs of a performance gap.

“Testing isn’t about glory laps,” Vasseur reminded reporters. “It’s about understanding the car. Both Lewis and Charles will have equal opportunities to push and to shape development. Any talk of favouritism is noise — we’re focused on results.”

Still, some observers remain unconvinced. “Ferrari’s internal dynamics have always been volatile,” noted veteran journalist Leo Turrini. “Hamilton’s arrival brings prestige, but also potential friction. If Leclerc feels sidelined, it could explode before the European rounds even begin.”

A New Chapter with Familiar Challenges

While Ferrari denies any internal imbalance, the optics have been difficult to manage. Hamilton’s personal sponsor, Puma, reportedly secured exclusive branding rights on select areas of the car and team uniforms — a deal negotiated directly with Hamilton’s management team rather than Ferrari’s corporate partners. Such moves have only reinforced perceptions of a “two-tier” environment.

Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz, the driver Hamilton replaced, has embraced a new challenge with Williams. Speaking at Grove last week, Sainz couldn’t resist a subtle jab at his former team:

“At Williams, we work as one. There’s no number one or number two. Everyone pulls in the same direction.”

All Eyes on Bahrain

With the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne set to open the 2025 season, the next few days in Bahrain will be crucial for Ferrari. Every lap, every radio message, and every technical update will be dissected by fans and pundits alike for hints of who holds the upper hand.

For Hamilton, it’s the beginning of what could be the defining chapter of his career. For Ferrari, it’s a balancing act between ambition and harmony — and between chasing history and avoiding another internal civil war.

As one Italian commentator put it:

“Ferrari has always been about passion. But passion can burn — or it can ignite greatness. Which one it will be, we’ll find out soon enough.”