F1 FERRARI: Ferrari Legend Delivers Candid Verdict on Verstappen Signing as Hamilton Left… Read more
Ferrari Legend Delivers Candid Verdict on Verstappen Signing as Hamilton Left Out of Lineup Remarks
Former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo has shared his honest opinion on whether reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen should be signed by the Scuderia, offering high praise for the Dutchman while noticeably omitting any mention of Lewis Hamilton in his comments.
Montezemolo, a towering figure in Ferrari’s history, served as chairman of the iconic Italian outfit for several decades and oversaw some of the team’s most successful years. Under his leadership, Ferrari returned to dominance in the late 1990s and early 2000s, notably during the era of Michael Schumacher, whose reign brought the team unparalleled success.
Now 78 years old, Montezemolo’s association with Formula 1 has taken a new twist. He has recently joined McLaren Automotive—a company under the umbrella of McLaren Group Holdings Limited—as a director. The move might appear to mark a shift in allegiance from Ferrari to their historic rival McLaren, but Montezemolo has been quick to clarify that his position within the group is purely on the road car side and not directly tied to McLaren’s Formula 1 operations. He insisted that despite this new role, his heart remains loyal to Ferrari, the team he helped build into a modern F1 powerhouse.
Montezemolo’s latest comments came during a gala screening of a documentary titled Luca: Seeing Red, which chronicles his remarkable life and contributions to the world of motorsport. During a Q&A session at the event, British motoring journalist Chris Harris posed a compelling question: if given the chance, would Montezemolo sign Max Verstappen to Ferrari today?
Without hesitation, Montezemolo offered glowing praise for the Red Bull star, naming Verstappen the undisputed best driver on the grid. “Today, I have to say for me Verstappen is by far the No.1,” Montezemolo declared. “Even in the last race, in difficult conditions, he never loses control. He is always quick, he never makes mistakes.”
Montezemolo went on to recall Verstappen’s early brilliance, adding, “He was fantastic also in go-karting when he was 13 years old — super, super strong. The couple between Sainz and Leclerc was a very good one, but no question, Verstappen is by far the best in my view, by far.”
His words underscore the remarkable consistency and composure Verstappen has shown in recent years. The Dutch driver, who has dominated Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing, continues to demonstrate near-perfect racecraft, often handling challenging conditions and pressure situations with a calm maturity that belies his age.
However, Montezemolo’s comments also drew attention for what he didn’t say. Despite Lewis Hamilton’s high-profile move to Ferrari this season, the seven-time world champion’s name did not feature in Montezemolo’s remarks. Hamilton, who joined the team at the start of the 2025 campaign to replace Carlos Sainz, has endured a rocky start in red. While Ferrari fans had hoped his arrival would spark a new era of glory, the Brit has struggled to adapt to his new environment, often trailing teammate Charles Leclerc and failing to find the pace that once made him nearly unbeatable.
The omission may not have been deliberate, but it reflects Hamilton’s current struggles and the enormous expectations placed upon him at Maranello. While Verstappen continues to extend his dominance in the championship standings, Ferrari’s focus appears to be on rebuilding consistency and finding the right balance between their drivers.
Montezemolo’s remarks, while complimentary toward Verstappen, also hint at a longing for the type of driver who could recapture the spirit and success Ferrari enjoyed during the Schumacher era — a driver capable of blending speed, precision, and relentless determination. For the Italian legend, Verstappen seems to embody those very qualities.
As Ferrari continues to search for the formula that will restore its supremacy, Montezemolo’s verdict serves as a reminder of what the team once had — and what it might still aspire to achieve. Verstappen may be the benchmark, but for now, Hamilton and Leclerc have the monumental task of proving that Ferrari can once again reach those heights.
Montezemolo’s admiration for Verstappen and his silence on Hamilton speak volumes about the current state of Formula 1’s most iconic team — a Scuderia in transition, still chasing the level of perfection that once made them untouchable.
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