F1’s biggest question: Will Hamilton shine at Ferrari? Verstappen and Horner share their bold predictions on the Briton’s future in red.
The big question currently shaking the F1 world is whether Lewis Hamilton will adapt well to Ferrari. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes the first races will be crucial for the seven-time world champion as he seeks to adjust to his new team.
“I think that if he gets off to a good start, the team supports him, he regains his confidence, and he feeds off that energy, then I can see him becoming a real contender in this championship,” Horner explained.
“But I think a lot will depend on how he integrates with the team at the start of the season. We all know what Lewis is capable of, and if he finds his energy in a different environment, I think he could be a real factor this year.”
Max Verstappen, who battled Hamilton in the intense 2021 season, believes the Briton still has the level to compete at the front: “It all depends on the car. We all know how good Lewis is. There’s no debate about that. So it all comes down to the car.”
The Dutchman would like to face Hamilton again but insists that fighting against all drivers is what excites him: “Yes, but that’s the case for everyone. I think when you’re fighting for victories, it’s always very enjoyable.”
Zak Brown, McLaren’s CEO, is eager to see Ferrari’s level at the start of the season: “Yes, I really expect Lewis to be a championship contender. I think Ferrari and we finished last year with nothing between us, and I think that will continue.”
“The Mercedes were very close, and they still won four or five races, so I include them in the mix. And of course, Red Bull was very strong in the first half of the year, slightly less so in the middle, but then finished very strongly. So I don’t think there is anything between these four teams.”
Jenson Button is impressed by the courage of his former teammate: “I completely understand Hamilton’s decision. Driving for Ferrari is something incredible, something all of us F1 drivers have thought about at some point—the desire to race for Ferrari one day.”
“What’s interesting is the timing of his choice. And I think at some point, Lewis believed he would never drive for Ferrari and that he would finish his career at Mercedes. But that makes the story even better—it’s a fantastic story for the sport.”
“I think to move to a new team at 40, where a different language is spoken, where you become teammates with someone like Charles Leclerc, who has been established there for years, takes a lot of courage. It’s a major challenge, but I believe Lewis feels ready for it. He is the only one who can take it on.”
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Horner & Verstappen: Will Hamilton Thrive at Ferrari? Horner & Verstappen: Will Hamilton Thrive at Ferrari? Horner & Verstappen: Will Hamilton Thrive at Ferrari?
