Lewis Hamilton emerging as a title contender in his debut campaign with Ferrari and taking on Max Verstappen would be the “dream scenario” for the F1 2025 championship. Four years after losing the Drivers’ Championship title to Verstappen,

Max Verstappen has been hailed as faster than Lewis Hamilton - even when driving inferior machinery. That is the verdict delivered by Red Bull’s Helmut Marko in the immediate aftermath of Hamilton’s debut Ferrari test. Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes to Ferrari means he could renew his title rivalry with Verstappen.

Until recently, the 18-year-old Italian sensation couldn't legally drive a modest 1ltr hatchback on public roads, despite being trusted by Mercedes to fill the shoes of none other than Lewis Hamilton in their high-stakes F1 races.