F1 News: Mario Andretti calls huge Lewis Hamilton move 'SAD'

Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari fashion image — Photo: © IMAGO

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Andretti calls huge Hamilton move 'SAD'

Mario Andretti insists Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari has downsides

Dan Ripley Global Editor

Professional F1 journalist and analyst

Sunday 31 March 2024 15:00

Lewis Hamilton's 2025 move to Ferrari has been branded as 'sad' by a legendary world champion due to the collateral damage it has inflicted.

Hamilton will be lining up in the famous scarlet colours of the Scuderia from the 2025 season after choosing to bail out of his Mercedes contract with a year to run after triggering an option within the deal.

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The seven-time world champion will now line up alongside Charles Leclerc at Maranello in what is set to be a mouthwatering prospect as they aim to battle each other as well as Red Bull for world championships.

However, according to 1978 world champion Mario Andretti, the move will be sad to see in light of how it has instantly changed another career.

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Following on from his victory at the Singapore Grand Prix last season, the only non Red Bull win in 2023, Sainz also triumphed at the most recent Australian Grand Prix.

Now Andretti believes that having shown the ability to become a world champion, Sainz deserves a top seat in F1 from next season.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I'm a little sad to see that he was sacrificed to make room for Hamilton. But certainly, the way he is racing, he has the right to find a seat with which to fight to win: he has earned a top team for the future.

"Carlos, compared to Charles, had everything sorted out well from the start in Melbourne, a better feeling with the SF-24."

Red Bull Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Charles Leclerc Carlos Sainz