Ferrari’s bombshell decision to bring Lewis Hamilton into the fold for 2025 has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 world, but one of the most respected figures in Ferrari’s history isn’t entirely convinced that the move is a step up.
Jean Todt, the mastermind behind Ferrari’s golden Schumacher era and a former FIA President, has thrown a curveball into the narrative, openly questioning whether replacing Carlos Sainz with Hamilton truly elevates the team’s championship prospects.
While the Scuderia is desperately seeking to end a 17-year title drought, Todt believes the answer to Ferrari’s long-awaited resurgence lies not in the driver lineup—but in the car itself.
Hamilton vs. Sainz: A Genuine Upgrade or Just a Big-Name Move?
Carlos Sainz, the driver Hamilton will replace, has been one of the most underrated performers on the grid, securing two Grand Prix victories in 2024 and holding his own against Ferrari’s golden boy, Charles Leclerc.
Todt, who oversaw Ferrari’s last period of sustained dominance, isn’t so sure the swap will make a significant difference.
“Even the lineup with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz was a good pairing; they certainly didn’t lose because of the drivers.”
“Obviously, even with Hamilton, the lineup remains top-level. Will it be better than the previous one? I have no idea. We’ll have to see the level of the car.”
It’s a brutal reality check amid the media frenzy surrounding Hamilton’s high-profile switch. While the seven-time champion undoubtedly brings an aura of success and experience from his title-winning campaigns at McLaren and Mercedes, the real question is whether that experience alone can push Ferrari past the finish line.
Hamilton’s Arrival: A Game-Changer for Leclerc?
While much of the conversation centers around whether Ferrari gains an advantage by swapping Sainz for Hamilton, another key question lingers: How will Charles Leclerc handle his new teammate?
Leclerc has been Ferrari’s long-term investment, rising through the ranks as a Ferrari Academy driver before getting promoted to the main team in 2019. He has established himself as one of F1’s elite talents, but his head-to-head battle with Hamilton will be the biggest test of his career.
Todt, however, believes Leclerc will thrive under the challenge, comparing the situation to George Russell’s arrival at Mercedes in 2022—when the young Brit immediately put pressure on Hamilton.
“I don’t think [Leclerc] will be affected by Hamilton.”
“For Charles, it could be an opportunity to be even more motivated, much like what happened with George Russell at Mercedes.”
This means Ferrari’s internal team dynamic will be just as crucial as car performance. Will Hamilton’s presence push Leclerc to new heights, or will it create a power struggle within the team?
Can Hamilton Outperform Leclerc? Questions Still Linger
For all of Hamilton’s greatness, his 2024 season left some lingering doubts.
- Despite securing two victories, he was comprehensively out-qualified by George Russell.
- At 40 years old in 2025, will Hamilton still have the edge to fight at the very top?
- Can he adapt to Ferrari’s philosophy quickly enough to challenge Red Bull and McLaren?
The pragmatic reality is that Hamilton’s arrival won’t magically fix Ferrari’s title drought. The team needs to build a dominant car, something they haven’t done since their last championship-winning season in 2007.
The Real Battle: Ferrari vs. McLaren vs. Red Bull
Ferrari isn’t just up against itself—it’s staring down a Red Bull team that has dominated the current era and a McLaren resurgence that saw the Woking-based squad finish just 14 points behind them in 2024.
If the Ferrari vs. McLaren battle remains as close as it was last season, the driver pairing could be the deciding factor.
On paper, Hamilton + Leclerc is arguably the strongest pairing on the grid, but as Todt pointed out—that means nothing if the car isn’t there.
Ferrari’s engineering, strategy, and development pace will dictate whether this move turns out to be a championship-winning masterstroke or just an expensive PR stunt.
Final Verdict: Hamilton’s Move Is a Power Play—But Not a Guaranteed Upgrade
Ferrari is rolling the dice with Hamilton.
His experience, mentality, and leadership are undeniable assets. But will that translate into race wins and a championship, or will Ferrari’s real problems lie deeper than driver choice?
If Jean Todt, the man who built Ferrari’s last dynasty, isn’t convinced, then maybe the Scuderia needs to be asking itself a different question:
Did they sign Hamilton for performance—or for prestige?
Only time, and Ferrari’s 2025 challenger, will tell.