F1 News
Former Ferrari engineer on 2025: 'Hamilton must adapt'
- Estéban den Toom
Xavier Marcos Padros was Charles Leclerc' s race engineer at Ferrari until 2024, parting ways in early May, with the Scuderia making the switch ahead of the Imola Grand Prix. Since then, the Monegasque driver has had Bryan Bozzi's voice on his ear. Although the former Ferrari employee now focuses more on the World Endurance Championship (WEC), he always remains grateful to the team.
"When you start at Ferrari, it feels like an ordinary job, just like others. But as soon as you are on the track, in the pit box, and everything around you is red, you realise you are part of history. You work for the team with the greatest racing history. That brings with it a huge responsibility, especially towards the fans. You try to carry that responsibility to the best of your ability and do your utmost. It's something special. Ferrari will forever be a part of my life. At first it played no part in my life, but now it's in my heart and will always be there. We have achieved a lot together and I have learnt a huge amount. I will be forever grateful to Ferrari," Marcos Padros told Italian Formula1.it.
'Hamilton must adapt at Ferrari'
In 2025, Ferrari will have a seven-time world champion in the team. Lewis Hamilton, as is well known, having made the switch from Mercedes to Ferrari. According to Leclerc's former race engineer, the Briton will have to adapt, but he is confident the Maranello based team will deliver a strong performance this season, with Marcos even daring a prediction for the upcoming season.
"I think the base is very good. In 2024, the car was already strong. There is a good foundation to achieve success, and the people working in Maranello are very competent. The drivers are there too: we all know what Charles is like, while Hamilton still needs to adapt, which is normal. The faster that process goes, the better it will be for both Ferrari and him. But the team will manage this in the best possible way."
This article was written in collaboration with Norberto Mujica.
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