Lewis Hamilton is set to leave Mercedes at the end of 2024, following his numerous championship wins with the Silver Arrows.
In a surprising turn of events, Flavio Briatore, former team boss of Renault, has issued a cautionary message to Lewis Hamilton ahead of his unexpected move to Ferrari.
Briatore’s advice to the seven-time world champion is clear: even a driver of Hamilton’s caliber, often compared to “Batman,” may encounter difficulties if Ferrari fails to produce a more competitive vehicle.
After years of rumors and subsequent denials, Hamilton is preparing to begin a new chapter in his racing career, having signed a multi-year contract with Scuderia Ferrari.
This significant announcement came after a day filled with anticipation and drama. It was on a Thursday evening that Hamilton reportedly held a meeting at Mercedes’ Brackley headquarters to inform his current team of his decision.
For the upcoming racing season, Hamilton will continue to drive for Mercedes before transitioning to Ferrari, adding intrigue to the prospects of both teams for the 2024 season.
In the previous season, Ferrari achieved a victory in a Grand Prix, distinguishing themselves as the sole winners between the two rival teams.
They took advantage of a weekend where Red Bull underperformed, securing a win at the Singapore Grand Prix with Carlos Sainz behind the wheel.
In contrast, Hamilton endured a season without a win, extending his winless streak to an imposing 45 races.
This dry spell represents the longest period without a victory in his illustrious Formula 1 career.
While the reasons behind Hamilton’s decision to trade the silver of Mercedes for the iconic red of Ferrari remain speculative, he has described it as the fulfillment of a childhood dream and expressed his excitement about the new opportunity on the horizon.
Regarding the wisdom of Hamilton’s choice, Briatore acknowledges his surprise at the move but wishes both Ferrari and the British driver the best.
He emphasizes the crucial factor in Hamilton’s potential success – the performance of the car that Ferrari brings to the track.
Briatore states, “I’m very surprised by Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, he must have had his reasons.
“The only thing to say is to wish Ferrari and the British driver the best.
“Why surprised? I think he has warned the team these days, Mercedes has done a lot for him. But they will get used to this reality.
Lewis Hamilton warned about making Charles #Leclerc his number two.
“I think Hamilton’s decision has really caught them off guard. Do I agree with the choice? I don’t know.
“First of all, you have to get the car right, you can also have Batman in the team, but if the car is not competitive, the driver can’t make a difference. It is crucial that the car performs.”
Ultimately, the success of Lewis Hamilton’s time with Ferrari depends not only on his exceptional driving skills but also on Scuderia Ferrari’s ability to provide him with a competitive car, a sentiment echoed by the experienced motorsport figure, Flavio Briatore.
