Formula 1 legend Nigel Mansell knows what it’s like to be a British driver racing for Ferrari.
In 2025, Lewis Hamilton will add his name to the list of drivers who have driven for Ferrari in F1.
After admiring the sport’s most iconic team from afar for 18 seasons at McLaren and Mercedes, F1’s most successful manufacturer and driver will finally combine next year.
Nigel Mansell also made the move from another racing institution – Williams – to Ferrari in 1989.
After finishing runner-up in 1986 and 1987, Mansell made the switch to try and finally earn that coveted F1 championship.
Unfortunately, Mansell finished 4th and 5th in his two seasons with Ferrari before returning to Williams to win the title in 1992.
Mansell was speaking to the Daily Mail about Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari and why people are already making one mistake when talking about his chances for next season and beyond.
Nigel Mansell previews ‘magical’ Lewis Hamilton move to Ferrari in 2025
Hamilton will be departing the Las Vegas Grand Prix with a 2nd-place trophy, wondering if that was his final podium finish with Mercedes.
A mistake in qualifying potentially cost Hamilton victory, with teammate George Russell dominant throughout the weekend.
Talking about Hamilton’s upcoming move, Mansell said: “I think that what Lewis has done by deciding to join Ferrari is the most magical thing he could have done.
“The team is ultra-competitive. They could go for the championship next year.
“I don’t care what anybody says about Lewis. He is a class act. I have always been a fan of his.
“It won’t be easy going against [Charles] Leclerc but I think it will be healthy. Some people might see Lewis as an underdog but I think those people would be making a huge mistake if they do that.
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“I think he will surprise everybody. It might take him a couple of tests to get comfortable but I see a total resurgence at Ferrari.
“That is not to say Charles won’t give him a run for his money and he has some weekends where he does everything perfectly. But you have to do it more consistently. Lots of people win races but putting championships together is a different story.
“I will go out on a limb and I will guarantee that, if Lewis can find his motivation, he has got another championship in him. Easily.
“Never say never in this game and next year should be very competitive. Ferrari have done a good job and I think it will be incredibly exciting.”
Ferrari will hope Hamilton and Leclerc avoid teammate fracas during Las Vegas Grand Prix
Leclerc and Sainz have a good relationship but have clashed on a couple of occasions this season.
At the Chinese Grand Prix, both drivers were unhappy with each other and that reared its head once again in Las Vegas.
Sainz was unhappy over his team radio with Ferrari after messing up a pit stop, while Leclerc went on a furious rant after losing out a podium finish to his teammate.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory
Hamilton and Leclerc will be equal number-one drivers at Ferrari next year, at least to begin with.
If one driver pulls clear in the championship then team principal Frederic Vasseur may have a difficult decision to make.
However, Martin Brundle thought Hamilton would be pleased with Ferrari after the race in Las Vegas despite finishing ahead of them in his Mercedes, and a reinvigorated seven-time world champion is just what F1 needs in 2025.
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