Debate | Will Hamilton match Alonso and Raikkonen's record for Ferrari?
F1 News
Lewis Hamilton begins his next chapter at Scuderia Ferrari this season. After spending the more than a decade with Mercedes, F1's blockbuster transfer will now take place. Will the British driver be able to match previous Ferrari signings Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso?
Raikkonen and Alonso with debut victories
Both the 'Iceman' and the Spaniard could immediately win when driving for Ferrari. Raikkonen joined in 2007, the year he also won his only F1 world championship as well, and immediately in Australia, he crossed the finish line in first place ahead of Alonso and Hamilton. In 2010, Alonso could also won on his first try, when the Bahrain GP was the season opener. That time, Hamilton also finished third.
In terms of the other drivers that joined Ferrari in the 21st century, every full-time driver could win at least a single time. Sebastian Vettel could won his second Grand Prix in 2015, in Malaysian, and he is followed by Rubens Barrichello who could win on his 11th attempt. Charles Leclerc could have matched Vettel in Bahrain in 2019, but problems with his car prevented him from winning, therefore, he had to wait 13 GPs until he won for the first time. For Felipe Massa, it took 14 attempts, while Carlos Sainz ranks the last with him winning at his 32nd GP as a Ferrari driver.
For Hamilton, his debut in 2007 with McLaren was already mentioned, as he finished third behind Raikkonen in Australia. In terms of his Mercedes debut, he finished in P5 at the same track he will began his Ferrari journey as well. At McLaren, it took him six Grands Prix to win for the first time, and he won his first GP for Mercedes at the Hungaroring in 2013, which was the 10th weekend of that season.
Therefore, GPblog presents you the question: Will Hamilton match Raikkonen and Alonso's record?
Vote and share your opinion in the comment section below!