Elkann: Hamilton ‘wants to win the eighth F1 title’ at… Read More.
Elkann: Hamilton ‘wants to win the eighth F1 title’ at… Read More.
Ferrari Chairman John Elkann has revealed that Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is driven by his ambition to win an eighth Formula 1 world title, rather than a desire to wind down his career.
Hamilton, who will turn 40 before the 2025 season begins, decided to cut short his contract with Mercedes to join Ferrari, a move that surprised many in the F1 community.
Elkann, speaking to Corriere dello Sport during the Paris Olympics, emphasized that Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari is not about enjoying a comfortable retirement.
Instead, it is about remaining highly competitive and aiming for another championship.
Elkann stated that Hamilton is joining the team with the intention of achieving success, and that both Ferrari and Hamilton share the same goal of winning the coveted title.
Elkann expressed confidence in Hamilton’s ability to contribute significantly to Ferrari’s quest for glory, pointing to the experience and consistency that comes with age in motorsport as key factors that could benefit the team.
Ferrari has struggled to maintain consistent performance since the early part of the 2022 season, where they initially showed strong potential under the new regulations.
However, as the season progressed, Red Bull established itself as the dominant force, and Ferrari has since found it difficult to recapture its early form.
Although the team has secured some victories, notably with Charles Leclerc’s win in Monaco, Ferrari has been unable to consistently challenge for the championship, with McLaren and Mercedes also showing signs of resurgence.
Elkann highlighted that securing Hamilton was not a drawn-out process, noting that the timing was right for both the driver and the team.
He believes that Hamilton’s vast experience and hunger for another title will make Ferrari a stronger contender in the upcoming seasons.
Elkann is optimistic that with Hamilton’s leadership and expertise, Ferrari will have a better chance to compete at the highest level and potentially secure both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships.
The move is seen as a strategic decision by Ferrari to bolster its chances in the highly competitive F1 environment, where experience and consistency can make a significant difference. As Hamilton prepares to enter his 19th season in Formula 1, his partnership with Ferrari could be the catalyst the team needs to return to the top of the sport.