Hamilton and Marquez, two of the most talked-about drivers among Italian fans, usher in a new era at the helm of Ferrari and Ducati
A definitive era of motorsport has come to an end. It ended with 2024, a year universally regarded as “transitional,” paving the way for a truly revolutionary 2025. This revolution was foretold nearly a year ago in Maranello, where, on a quiet pre-season morning—February 1, 2024—Ferrari announced that Lewis Hamilton would join Charles Leclerc for the upcoming season, replacing Carlos Sainz after a four-year tenure. The announcement was nothing short of sensational, leaving Italian fans in disbelief to this day.
The same narrative applies to another motorsport legend, this time on two wheels. Ducati’s Davide Tardozzi and Luigi Dall’Igna made headlines by signing Marc Marquez to partner Pecco Bagnaia, replacing Enea Bastianini. This bold decision, akin to Ferrari’s, epitomizes the daring ambition of both teams. For Ducati, it reflects the monumental goals of its riders: on one side, Marquez chasing his seventh world title in the premier class; on the other, Bagnaia determined to redeem himself after narrowly losing the 2024 championship in the final race.
From eternal rivals to eternal icons: Hamilton with Ferrari, Marquez with Ducati
Seven world championships, just like Michael Schumacher. But with one critical difference: no Ferrari red in any of those triumphs. The parallels between Lewis Hamilton and Ayrton Senna are striking, particularly in the context of their championship glory achieved without donning Ferrari’s iconic colors. However, Sir Lewis’s career—aptly celebrated for his accomplishments both on and off the track—is far from over. Securing an eighth title in Ferrari red would elevate an already legendary career to unprecedented heights.
Hamilton faces stiff competition, though, in Charles Leclerc, the young prodigy and Ferrari’s heir apparent, who has every intention of “spoiling the party” for the British icon. Leclerc, now entering his seventh season with Ferrari, is brimming with confidence that this could be his year. Backed by promises from the team leadership of a competitive car ready to fight for the championship, the Monegasque is prepared to showcase his immense potential once again.
Hamilton’s history with Ferrari is rich with iconic battles. From 2007 and 2008—where he first lost the title to Kimi Räikkönen and then crushed Felipe Massa’s dreams at the final corner in Interlagos—
to his fierce duels with Sebastian Vettel in 2017 and 2018, Hamilton has been a persistent thorn in Ferrari’s side. Those seasons saw point-for-point fights marred by reliability issues for the SF70H and costly mistakes by Vettel with the SF71H. Notable moments include the controversial 2019 Canadian GP, where Vettel crossed the line first but was handed a five-second penalty for “cutting a corner,” handing Hamilton the victory.
Similarly, Marquez’s journey has been defined by rivalries. His legendary 2015 battle with Valentino Rossi, where Marquez repeatedly obstructed the Italian’s bid for a ninth title, remains unforgettable. Then there’s his Ducati saga: first against Andrea Dovizioso, and more recently against Pecco Bagnaia, now his teammate.
Hamilton and Marquez in Ferrari and Ducati signal a new dawn, one that reminds us of the stark contrasts and paradoxes inherent in motorsport, both in Formula 1 and MotoGP. Yet, this new era also reignites the allure of watching two legends compete in Italy. These icons will undoubtedly bask in the prestige of Ferrari and Ducati, but they’ll also face immense pressure—first from their teammates and then from their passionate fanbases. Italian fans, the beating heart of motorsport, have always been a source of inspiration, and their fervor likely played a pivotal role in bringing these two legends to Italy. As the excitement builds, all eyes now turn to the track.
Photo: Scuderia Ferrari, Ducati Corse
