Hamilton or Sainz: Todt Unsure of Ferrari's Edge

Jean Todt remains uncertain if Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari will improve their performance, emphasizing the car’s development as crucial.

Former FIA president and Ferrari boss Jean Todt is uncertain whether Lewis Hamilton, who has replaced Carlos Sainz, will be an improvement for the Italian team.

Seven-time champion Hamilton takes over from Sainz at Ferrari, with the Spaniard moving to Williams after four seasons with the Scuderia.

Charles Leclerc believes Hamilton’s pedigree will benefit Ferrari, saying, “With the success Lewis has had, it will be incredibly interesting to hear from him and see how he worked with other top-performing teams.”

“Whether it was at Mercedes or McLaren, he won championships with both. This will certainly push us forward, help us learn, and bring new perspectives to our ways of working.”

Ferrari is seeking to end its title drought, which has stretched for 17 seasons since Kimi Raikkonen’s success in 2007.

Todt, who was Ferrari’s team principal from 1993 to 2004 and CEO for four years afterward, was in charge when Michael Schumacher ended a drivers’ title drought in 2000, following Jody Scheckter’s last triumph in 1979.

The Frenchman believes Ferrari is close to achieving that kind of success again, but he’s unsure if the team’s drivers will be the decisive factor.

“What is Ferrari missing to win? Very little, almost nothing. Even in the past, they were very close!” he told La Repubblica.

“Even the team with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz had a strong driver pairing; they certainly didn’t lose because of them. With Hamilton, the team remains top-tier. Will it be better than the previous duo? I have no idea; it will depend on the level of the car.”

Todt believes Leclerc will be motivated by Hamilton’s arrival, much like Russell took the chance to challenge the veteran during their three years together at Mercedes.

“I don’t think Leclerc will be affected by Hamilton. For Charles, this could be an opportunity to be even more motivated, a bit like what happened with George Russell at Mercedes.”

For Williams F1 team principal James Vowles, who knows Hamilton well from their time together at Mercedes, Leclerc will have to be cautious.

“I have no idea who will come out on top. But the one thing I know about Lewis is that he reinvents himself every winter. He comes back stronger every winter.”

“And with every competitor he faces, he finds a way to improve and match their level if he’s behind.”

“If he’s ahead, he finds a way to keep progressing and improving further. That’s Lewis. He’s a seven-time world champion. You can never count him out.”