Former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve is convinced that Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari next season will enable him to fight for his eighth world title and secure his place in the history of the sport.
The potentially game-changing move was announced by the seven-time world champion in February and shook up the driver market even before the season officially started. Hamilton’s important decision was the result of two winless seasons with Mercedes in the Ground Effect era.
The fact that the Brackley team has not been able to provide him with a championship-ready car since 2022 prompted Hamilton to look elsewhere. Ferrari, the only non-Red Bull team to win a race in 2023, seemed to be the most suitable option.
Having driven for both McLaren and Mercedes, it is a dream for many drivers to join the legendary Ferrari team at least once before retiring from racing. Villeneuve, who won a championship with Williams in 1997, believes Hamilton’s entry into Ferrari could make history in the coming years. He told Instant Casino:
“Lewis Hamilton can definitely win a championship with Ferrari.
“This team could take the final step it needs at Mercedes to win another title.”
“At Ferrari he will have the potential to drive like Max Verstappen does now. And it could increase his mental focus throughout the season as it is a new challenge. This would cement his place in history.”
At 39, Hamilton probably expected the 2024 season to be as problematic for Mercedes as the 2023 season, given the difficulties with the W14. Last year’s problems, including constant ups and downs and a significant loss of pace, left Mercedes looking for solutions without addressing the root causes.
However, Mercedes seems to have found the aerodynamic key to the W15’s performance this year, starting with the Canadian GP, as the car has been on the podium in every race since then. George Russell won the race in Austria, while Lewis Hamilton won the British and Belgian Grands Prix.
Ferrari, on the other hand, have suffered negative consequences in recent races as attempts to regain pace following a major upgrade package have been made. There is speculation that, given Mercedes’ resurgence and Ferrari’s struggles, Hamilton may regret his move to Ferrari in 2025. However, Villeneuve revealed that both Mercedes and Hamilton are seeking to go their separate ways and a split is imminent. He added:
“No, Lewis Hamilton needed a change anyway.
“Both sides were waiting for an excuse to go their separate ways without a fight.”
