Flavio Briatore, currently an advisor at Alpine, is the latest to weigh in on Ferrari’s choice of Lewis Hamilton. The Italian honestly admits that he would not have hired the newly minted Ferrari driver himself, although Formula 1 as a whole does benefit from the switch.
Flavio Briatore has a long history in Formula 1. Nowadays, the former team boss of Benetton and Renault serves as an advisor for the French Alpine, but the Italian does not shy away from also passing judgment on the choices of other teams, particularly Ferrari.
“It will be strange to see Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari. Of course, I respect such decisions, but I also wonder if it makes sense,” Briatore tells Sport Bild. “Ferrari had two top drivers in Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. I don’t understand why this great duo was torn apart. If I had been in a responsible position at Ferrari, I would not have contracted Lewis.”
‘Beneficial for Formula 1’
However, Briatore does see a benefit in Lewis Hamilton‘s move to Scuderia. According to the businessman, he himself, like everyone in motorsport, also benefits from the transfer. “In principle, it’s good for Formula 1 if Lewis drives for Ferrari,” the Italian continues. “And everything that’s good for Formula 1 is also good for me.”
Despite the fact that Hamilton in Ferrari red will also be good for the ‘ratings’, Briatore expects, the Italian does not think that the Brit will immediately take the lead in the team. “We must not forget that Charles Leclerc certainly has the advantage of speaking Italian in this very special Italian team,” he adds.
