Red Bull boss Christian Horner has proclaimed that he can envisage Lewis Hamilton‘s switch to Ferrari in 2025 reigniting his rivalry with Max Verstappen in Formula 1.
Hamilton and Verstappen went toe-to-toe in an enthralling title contest in 2021 which saw several incidents sour relations between the Mercedes and Red Bull camps.
But the battles have been scarce since as F1’s return to ground effect in 2022 witnessed Red Bull dominate while Mercedes struggled to get a handle on the new cars.
Nevertheless, the sporadic occasions when the two have been close on track has tended to result in a crash, including earlier this season at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Hamilton could be in a position to mount a more regular challenge to Verstappen, who is set to take a fourth straight title, in 2025 with his impending switch to Ferrari.
The seven-time F1 champion’s decision to cut his association with Mercedes to begin a new venture at the Italian marque appears a wise one based on recent events.
Ferrari taking victories in Austin and Mexico has seen it emerge as a championship challenger, while Mercedes has stuttered since a revival before the summer break.
Horner has acknowledged that the Briton seems to be moving at “the right time” as he professed that he is “interested to see how Lewis acclimatises to life at Ferrari”.
Horner has conceded that he is “interested to see how Lewis acclimatises to life at Ferrari” as he acknowledged that the Briton looks to have made a well-timed move.
When it was put to him that Hamilton in a Ferrari could be the catalyst to another titanic fight with Verstappen, Horner told talkSPORT: “He’s obviously coming out of a very comfortable environment, one that he knows very well over the last 10 years, more than 10 years. So that’ll be a change for him.
“Charles Leclerc is another very fast driver. But Ferrari is a team that looks like they’re picking up momentum.
“For sure, a driver of Lewis’ quality is always going to be a challenger. He could be just jumping at the right time.
“He’s obviously seen things that he’s chosen to change teams for because he believes in the future of Ferrari, so that’s going to be fascinating to see how that plays out.”
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Hamilton encouraged by Ferrari progress
Hamilton admitted before last weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix that Ferrari’s progress has provided him with added encouragement as his latest chapter edges closer.
“I’m very interested in my future, of course,” Hamilton told media including Motorsport Week.
“And so, in that respect, keeping an eye, yeah. Watching everything that happens.”
Asked whether Ferrari’s improvement, in particular, was something that encouraged him, Hamilton answered: “Of course.
“It’s been, you know, through the year, the beginning of the year, you know, if you look at somewhere like maybe China already, but the Red Bull was like a second ahead.
“And it’s been quite incredible to see the McLaren rise and then the Ferrari in the last few races.
“To see their progress and just trying to keep an eye on everyone’s car and what they’re changing and what they’re adding.
READ MORE – Ferrari’s upturn encouraging Lewis Hamilton ahead of 2025 F1 move
