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Hamilton’s Ferrari Title Bid Would Be F1’s Greatest Moment, Says Berger

Former Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger believes that if Lewis Hamilton were to win a championship with Ferrari, it would be the most significant achievement in the sport’s history.

Hamilton’s high-profile move to Ferrari marks a new chapter in his illustrious career after a dominant 12-year tenure with Mercedes. The seven-time world champion secured six of his titles and 84 race victories with the Brackley-based team before deciding to embark on a fresh challenge at the end of the 2024 season.

The 40-year-old has already begun his preparations for his Ferrari debut, conducting private tests ahead of the 2025 season opener in Australia. He is set to drive the new Ferrari F1 car for the first time during a shakedown at Fiorano on February 19 before pre-season testing in Bahrain.

Hamilton’s switch to the Scuderia is widely regarded as one of the biggest moves in F1 history. Joining the most successful team in the sport, the British driver aims to add to his legacy in an environment that has historically been difficult for many top-tier drivers.

Speaking to Auto Motor und Sport, Berger was asked if Hamilton and Ferrari were a natural fit. The Austrian gave a confident response: “Yes. If Hamilton manages to become world champion with Ferrari, it would be the greatest thing Formula 1 has ever seen from a marketing perspective.”

Berger Predicts Tough Battle Against Leclerc

Hamilton’s final years with Mercedes were challenging, as the team struggled to adapt to the current technical regulations. While Mercedes occasionally delivered competitive performances, they were unable to consistently fight for race wins or championships.

Berger believes Hamilton’s move to Ferrari will reignite his motivation, but he also warned that the British driver may find it difficult to match the outright speed of Charles Leclerc, his new teammate.

“Hamilton needed a new challenge,” Berger explained. “His biggest issues were that the Mercedes was no longer a consistently competitive car and that he had been with the same team for so long. A change of scenery was necessary.”

He continued: “Hamilton is not the type of driver who will be satisfied with finishing fifth. He will have to push himself again at Ferrari, and we might see him back at his best. However, I think he will struggle against Leclerc’s speed. It’s going to be a very close fight between them.”

With Hamilton now at Ferrari, F1 fans eagerly await his first competitive outing in red, as the 2025 season promises to be one of the most exciting in years.