Ferrari Chairman John Elkann says that Lewis Hamilton wants to win his eighth Formula 1 world title with the team and his move to the Italian giant isn’t just about enjoying his retirement.
Ahead of the 2024 season, Hamilton made the shock decision to end his two-year deal with Mercedes early in favour of driving for Ferrari in 2025.
By the time he takes his seat with the marque next year, Hamilton will be 40 years old, entering his 19th season in F1, but Elkann says the move isn’t about Hamilton driving off into the sunset.
“He doesn’t come to Ferrari to enjoy his retirement,” Elkann told Corriere dello Sport while attending the Paris Olympics.
“It’s important to have motivated people around, who want to win.
Asked if getting Hamilton was difficult, he said “Some things happen very quickly.
“This was the moment when he and Ferrari found each other.
“He wants to win the eighth title, Ferrari wants to win and with Lewis, they are stronger.”
Elkann also highlighted the importance of Hamilton’s experience, and the consistency he believes comes with age in the sport, an important factor as Ferrari battles for both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championship.
Ferrari looked immense in the early running of the 2022 season under the new regulations, but its form quickly petered out as Red Bull emerged as the dominant package at the front of the field.
The team has never recovered that early form despite scattered wins, most recently for Charles Leclerc in Monaco. With McLaren and Mercedes both resurgent, Elkann recognizes the vital contribution Hamilton could make next year.
“In Formula 1 there is real competition now, with four teams very close: Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes.
“It is important to always go to the maximum of your potential: those with more experience have more consistency as demonstrated by Hamilton and also Alonso himself. And consistency counts.”
He also hailed Hamilton’s longevity and believes the seven-time World Champion ranks alongside other sporting greats, including Novak Djokovic.
“These two, [Roger] Federer, [Simone] Biles, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Lionel] Messi and [Gregorio] Paltrinieri himself.
“With dedication and sacrifice, they are overcoming the physical limits due to age.
“It is also true that we are in a historical phase in which we live longer and also the careers of athletes are lengthening.”
Hamilton described his decision to move to Ferrari as “the hardest decision I have ever had to make,” but said, “ultimately I am writing my story, and I felt like it was time to start a new chapter.”
In the meantime, Hamilton has a chance to help Mercedes to third or even second in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship in the second half of the season, with a push up the driver standings from his current sixth spot also on the cards.
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