In a move that’s set to rock the Formula 1 world, Lewis Hamilton has confirmed he will join Ferrari for the 2025 season, teaming up with Charles Leclerc as the seven-time world champion makes a final bid for his elusive eighth title. Nigel Mansell, former Ferrari driver and F1 icon, believes Hamilton’s switch to the Prancing Horse is a “magical step” that could reignite the Brit’s championship ambitions. But is it the fairytale move everyone hopes it will be?
Ferrari made headlines before the start of the 2024 season when they announced they’d signed Hamilton, replacing Carlos Sainz in a high-stakes gamble. At 39, Hamilton is still hunting down the title that would make him the most successful driver in F1 history, surpassing Michael Schumacher. Like Schumacher, who secured five of his seven championships with Ferrari, Hamilton dreams of making history with the iconic Italian team. If he succeeds, he would become the first driver since Juan Manuel Fangio in 1956 to clinch titles with three different teams.
Mansell, the last Englishman to drive a full season for Ferrari back in 1990, predicts that Hamilton’s arrival could be a turning point for both the driver and the team. “Lewis has faced plenty of critics, but I’ve always believed he was destined to be one of the best ever,” Mansell told Top Offshore Sportsbooks. “Joining Ferrari is a magical step—there’s nothing quite like driving for them. He’ll thrive on the energy of the team, and if they give him a competitive car, he’ll be right back at the front.”
Hamilton’s journey in F1 has been nothing short of legendary. Starting his career with McLaren in 2007, he narrowly missed out on the title to Kimi Raikkonen. However, he bounced back the following year, winning his first championship in a nail-biting finale at the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix. His move to Mercedes in 2013 stunned the paddock, but it paid off with six more titles and a string of dominant seasons.
Yet, Mansell remains realistic, acknowledging that Hamilton’s new challenge won’t be easy. “Yes, he’s had the best cars and support, but Lewis is a class act. Ferrari’s a different beast, and if anyone can tame it, it’s him. I expect him to be a serious contender in 2025.”
However, the competition within Ferrari’s own garage could be fierce. Hamilton’s new teammate, Charles Leclerc, has been Ferrari’s star driver and currently sits third in the standings with two victories this season. Leclerc has established himself as the team’s leader, and there’s no guarantee that Hamilton will waltz in and take that mantle. The Monegasque driver is known for his relentless determination and will undoubtedly fight to keep his status as Ferrari’s top gun.
Ferrari’s main concern, however, will not be the battle between its drivers, but rather ensuring they have a car capable of matching the likes of McLaren. With the Maranello team desperate to end its nearly two-decade-long title drought, the pressure is on to deliver a championship-winning car.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is a bold and risky one, and whether it becomes the fairytale comeback he envisions—or a cautionary tale of an over-ambitious move—remains to be seen. The stage is set for a showdown, and if Ferrari plays its cards right, Hamilton could once again be the man to beat. But if history is anything to go by, the road ahead will be anything but smooth.
