The motorsport world is ablaze as Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time F1 world champion and one of the sport’s most iconic figures, prepares to don the legendary Ferrari red in 2025. After two decades powered by Mercedes engines—and 103 wins, 104 poles, and seven titles to show for it—Hamilton’s move to Scuderia Ferrari has sparked debate across the paddock.
From stock market spikes to heated opinions from F1 veterans like Flavio Briatore and Juan Pablo Montoya, everyone is weighing in. But the question remains: will Hamilton’s move to Maranello be remembered as a masterstroke or a miscalculation?
Flavio Briatore: “Why Split Up a Great Pair?”
Never one to shy away from controversy, Flavio Briatore questioned Ferrari’s decision to part ways with Carlos Sainz, a driver who delivered two wins and nine podiums in 2024, to make room for the 40-year-old Hamilton.
“Ferrari had two top drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz,” Briatore remarked. “I don’t understand why they split up this great pair. It’s not my job to judge, but if I were in a responsible position at Ferrari, I wouldn’t have hired Lewis.”
While Briatore acknowledged that Hamilton’s presence is good for F1’s ratings and visibility, he raised doubts about whether Ferrari can meet the high expectations that come with the Briton’s arrival.
Juan Pablo Montoya: “The Lewis of Old Will Be Back”
On the flip side, Juan Pablo Montoya predicts Hamilton’s move will reignite his competitive fire. Montoya, never one to mince words, believes Hamilton is on a mission to prove his doubters wrong:
“I think we’ll see the Lewis of old. He’s going to be out for revenge. If Ferrari listens to what Lewis needs and builds a car around him, he can be a huge threat for the championship.”
Montoya’s advice to Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur is clear: make Hamilton the centerpiece of their plans and tailor the car to his driving style. If Ferrari gets it right, Montoya believes Hamilton could deliver the Scuderia its first drivers’ title since 2007.
Hamilton vs. Leclerc: A Clash of Titans
The real drama lies in the potential intra-team rivalry between Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s golden boy and the driver who outshone Sebastian Vettel during his early days at the team. Can Hamilton, now 40, match the raw pace and hunger of the younger Leclerc?
Leclerc has shown he can thrive under pressure, and Ferrari’s willingness to gamble on Hamilton suggests confidence in Leclerc’s ability to push the Briton to his limits. The dynamic between the two will be pivotal—not only for Ferrari’s chances in 2025 but for the legacy of both drivers.
A Glimpse at the Road Ahead
Hamilton’s journey with Ferrari begins behind closed doors in Maranello, where he will experience his first day with the team away from the public eye. Official pre-season testing kicks off from 26 to 28 February in Bahrain, but the season’s first spectacle will be Ferrari’s livery launch at London’s O2 Arena on 18 February, where Hamilton will be unveiled as a Scuderia driver.
The timing is critical, as Ferrari enters 2025 amidst sky-high expectations. After narrowly missing out on the Constructors’ Championship in 2024, the team is banking on Hamilton’s experience and racecraft to make the difference.
The Stakes for Hamilton and Ferrari
For Hamilton, this is about more than just a new challenge—it’s a chance to silence critics, add an eighth world title to his collection, and etch his name in Ferrari folklore. For Ferrari, the stakes are equally high. A failure to deliver with Hamilton on board would not only tarnish their reputation but could mark the end of an era for both team and driver.
“Together with Ferrari, I want to achieve something extraordinary,” Hamilton said recently, emphasizing the importance of this new chapter in his career.
Will the Gamble Pay Off?
Hamilton in Ferrari red is a narrative steeped in history, drama, and immense expectations. Whether it ends in triumph or heartbreak remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the 2025 F1 season will be one for the ages.