Ex-Ferrari engineer tells Lewis Hamilton his most important task when he completes move

Former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley has told Lewis Hamilton how he can succeed at his new team in 2025.

The Brit announced earlier this year that he would be leaving Mercedes at the end of the season after agreeing to join Ferrari in 2025. Hamilton has insisted that he remains focused on enjoying success with the Silver Arrows before departing, but he is already receiving advice on how to thrive at Ferrari.

Smedley is among those to wish Hamilton well ahead of his shock switch, and he has told the Formula for Success how the seven-time world champion can hit the ground running with his former team.

He explained: "Lewis has got to do his part as well. Lewis has definitely got to play his part in endearing himself and embracing the culture of the team and not being on the periphery of that. And if he can do that, they will love him. Honestly, he will walk on water.

"They'll [Ferrari] just be able to raise their game by another 1%, 2%, because they'll feel that confidence.

"This is a seven-time world champion coming into your team, having chosen your team over effectively a team he's been at for, let's call it all of his life, if you take the engine part of it, suddenly he's walking away from all of that and all of that legacy, and he's choosing you guys.

"So that gives you a massive boost of confidence. If everybody works that half/one percent harder or smarter, then great things can happen."

Hamilton has spoken about how he is hoping to make a strong first impression with Ferrari once this season has concluded, and he has already begun holding talks with Charles Leclerc to form a relationship with his soon-to-be teammate.

Leclerc explained: "We always had a good relationship in the past but since when we know that we'll be teammates from next year, we got to know each other a bit more.

"We spoke quite often about our common passion, like with music for example, or fashion. We didn't speak yet too much about racing in itself because he's still fully focused on his Mercedes season and I'm still focused on this season...but it will come."