Lewis Hamilton is a Ferrari driver. As of 1 January, 2025, that is a factual statement.
The excitement in the world of F1 is immense. Hamilton is the most successful driver in the history of the sport based on race wins.
It’s less quantifiable, but Ferrari are the sport’s most iconic team. The marriage between the two may help make 2025 the most anticipated season in years.
But inevitably, there are doubters beneath the surface buzz. Hamilton is coming off the poorest season of his career.
He finished outside the top six in the world championship for the first time, though seventh was about in line with Mercedes’ car performance. Most concerning was his deficit to teammate George Russell.
Russell thrashed Hamilton 19-5 in qualifying, by far the worst Saturday showing of the latter’s career. It raises concerns that he’s in decline, or perhaps simply uncomfortable in the current generation of cars.
Flavio Briatore says Ferrari already had ‘top’ F1 line-up before signing Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari are also disrupting a successful formula. They haven’t won the constructors’ title since 2008, but they were closer than ever last year, finishing just 14 points behind McLaren.
The duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz combined for five victories and a grid-high 22 podiums. And yet, Ferrari released the Spaniard, who will instead race for second-from-bottom Williams.
Speaking to German newspaper Sport Bild, via sport.de, Alpine team principal Flavio Briatore questioned the wisdom of the Scuderia’s decision. He feels they already had a ‘great’ line-up.
He accepts that Hamilton may yet prove him wrong. And he also recognises that it’s ‘good for Formula 1’ to have the legendary driver in the scarlet red car.
“It will be strange to see Lewis in the Ferrari,” he said. “Of course I respect such decisions, but I also wonder whether it makes sense. Ferrari had two top drivers in Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
“I don’t understand why they split up this great pairing. It’s not my job to judge, but if I had been in a position of responsibility at Ferrari, I wouldn’t have signed Lewis.”
“In principle, it’s good for Formula 1 if Lewis drives for Ferrari. And everything that’s good for Formula 1 is good for me too. It’s certainly good for television and the ratings too. Let’s wait and see. Time will tell how well he drives in the Ferrari.”
Ferrari mechanics may already be warming to Lewis Hamilton after what he did in Abu Dhabi
Briatore was the team boss at Benetton when Michael Schumacher won his first two world championships in 1994 and 1995. As Fernando Alonso’s manager, he’s certainly an authority on the sport’s greatest drivers.
But his comments may only fuel Hamilton’s motivation ahead of his Ferrari debut at the Australian GP. He’s looking to become the first driver since Jack Brabham in 1966 to win a title at the age of 40 or older.
Hamilton greeted Ferrari mechanics in Italian at the Abu Dhabi GP, his final appearance for Mercedes. The Briton is learning the language and his new colleagues will no doubt appreciate his efforts.
Based on his contract, he may also spend two to three years at Maranello, giving him a short window to win an eighth championship. It’s seen as inevitable that Oliver Bearman will join Ferrari, potentially as Hamilton’s long-term successor.
