Lewis Hamilton has three races left with his trusted Mercedes – in 2025, he will switch to Ferrari, a move considered one of the most sensational transfers in Formula 1 history. Former champion Jacques Villeneuve predicts new successes for the seven-time world champion, despite his inconsistent performances over the past year.
The news hit like a bombshell in early February – Lewis Hamilton will drive for Ferrari from 2025. The announcement also sparked much debate. What does Hamilton, who will start his nineteenth season in Formula 1 next year, still have to look for at Ferrari? Jacques Villeneuve, however, understands the choice. “It’s the most logical next step if he wants to definitively become the greatest driver of all time,” the Canadian told Grosvenor Sport.
“Winning again with Mercedes would add little,” Villeneuve explained. “But winning with Ferrari? That’s the ultimate achievement he still lacks after everything he’s already accomplished.” According to Villeneuve, the collaboration with Mercedes has little future perspective. “When he extended his contract, the situation already looked bleak,” the former world champion stated. “It was clearly time to move on.” Hamilton did not win a single race in 2022 and 2023 – an exceptional drought for the seven-time world champion. This season, he has claimed two victories, but he has not been a serious title contender.
‘He Hasn’t Lost His Touch’
If the transfer to Ferrari proves successful, Villeneuve predicts that Lewis Hamilton will once again play a heroic role. “When he moved to Mercedes back then, many people thought he was crazy,” the Canadian recalled. “But in retrospect, it turned out to be an excellent choice.” For now, the Italian racing team seems to indeed have the right credentials to deliver new victories to Hamilton, and possibly an eighth world title. The team has already won five races this year and is in second place among the constructors. “It’s very simple,” said Villeneuve. “If he doesn’t win with Ferrari, he still has all his records. So it’s worth the gamble either way.”
After a mediocre weekend in São Paulo, several experts suggested that Hamilton has lost his racing skills. According to Villeneuve, however, the multiple world champion is already mentally in Maranello. “He knew he had no chance of winning the title,” the former driver explained. “Why then would you still invest energy in the team? He can certainly still do it, there’s no doubt about that. Just because he’s not succeeding at Mercedes now doesn’t mean he’s lost his touch,” he emphasized.
