F1 legend makes SHOCK Lewis Hamilton signing declaration

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F1 legend makes SHOCK Hamilton signing declaration

Have Ferrari made a mistake with Lewis Hamilton?

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Monday 13 January 2025 10:58

A Formula 1 legend has made a shock Lewis Hamilton signing declaration ahead of his arrival at Ferrari.

Hamilton replaced four-time grand prix winner Carlos Sainz for the 2025 season and beyond, as he attempts to challenge for an unprecedented eighth world championship title.

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However, Hamilton and Sainz's final seasons with their old teams were markedly different, with Sainz proving why he is one of the most sought-after drivers on the grid, and Hamilton suffering arguably his worst ever season.

While both drivers finished the 2024 season with two wins each, Sainz secured fifth place in the standings, two points behind fourth-placed Oscar Piastri, while Hamilton finished down in seventh behind team-mate George Russell.

Lewis Hamilton has replaced Carlos Sainz at Ferrari

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Hamilton's misery was compounded by his qualifying struggles, going down 19-5 across the season to Russell, and is now set to go up against one of the best qualifiers on the F1 grid in Charles Leclerc.

Leclerc has achieved 26 pole positions across his career, including three last season, despite the Ferrari's struggle with consistency in 2024.

Now, F1 legend Flavio Briatore, who has recently rejoined the sport as Alpine's executive advisor, has suggested that Ferrari's decision to sign Hamilton could be a mistake.

Flavio Briatore claims he would not have signed Lewis Hamilton

"It will be strange to see Lewis in the Ferrari. Of course I respect such decisions, but I also wonder whether it makes sense," the Italian told Sport-Bild.

"Ferrari had two top drivers in Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. I don't understand why they split up this great pairing. It's not my job to judge, but if I had been in a position of responsibility at Ferrari, I wouldn't have signed Lewis.

"In principle, it's good for Formula 1 if Lewis drives for Ferrari. And everything that's good for Formula 1 is good for me too. It's certainly good for television and the ratings too. Let's wait and see, time will tell how well he drives in the Ferrari."

Red Bull Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Formula 1 Carlos Sainz Sebastian Vettel