Hamilton on brink of ‘greatest thing to have happened in F1’
Lewis Hamilton will soon make his debut for Ferrari as he goes in search of an unprecedented eighth F1 title.
Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger believes winning a title at would be the “greatest thing” to happen in the sport’s history.
Hamilton has made the switch to Ferrari for the new season following a highly successful 12-year stint at
The 40-year-old won six titles and 84 grands prix with the Brackley-based squad before bringing the curtain down on the association at the end of 2024.
Hamilton has been preparing for his fresh start with a series of private tests ahead of his race debut in Australia next month.
He will get his first experience behind the wheel of the 2025 Ferrari car at a shakedown at Fiorano next Wednesday [February 19] before it is shipped to Bahrain for pre-season testing.
The move to Ferrari has been widely regarded as one of the biggest in the sport’s history as he links up with the most successful squad to race in F1.
When asked if Ferrari and Hamilton fit together, Berger told Auto Motor und Sport: “Yes.
“If Hamilton could become world champion in a Ferrari, that would be the greatest thing that has ever happened in Formula 1 in terms of marketing.”
Berger issues Hamilton warning despite ‘new motivation’ at Ferrari
Hamilton’s final three seasons with Mercedes were spent down the pecking order as the Brackley-based squad struggled to adjust to the current technical regulations.
The car was competitive at times but was unable to consistently compete at the front of the F1 grid.
While Berger has backed Hamilton for a new lease of life at Ferrari, the Austrian believes he will struggle to match the speed of team-mate Charles Leclerc.
“I think Hamilton needs new motivation,” Berger said.
“He has had two problems: the Mercedes has only been a winning car on exceptional occasions, and he has been in the same team for so long now that only a change of scenery will help.
“Finishing fifth is not a result that motivates Hamilton. He’ll have to grit his teeth again at Ferrari and he could well be at his best once more.
“On the other hand, I think he’ll struggle against Leclerc’s speed. It’s going to be a very tight race.”
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