Montoya urges Ferrari to favor Hamilton over Leclerc, while Mansell envisions a dream start for the Briton at Maranello.
It would be one of the greatest stories in F1: Lewis Hamilton reclaiming his world crown and becoming the first Ferrari driver since Kimi Räikkönen in 2007 to secure a world championship title.
A fairy tale? Perhaps, but also a scenario that is far from impossible on paper. Everything will, of course, depend on the competitiveness of the new Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton’s adaptation to his new team.
For his part, Johnny Herbert believes it is entirely possible for Lewis Hamilton to reclaim his world crown. The former teammate of Michael Schumacher sees the Briton arriving in Maranello with a massive boost in motivation.
“With the motivation of joining Ferrari and a good car capable of giving him the speed he needs to beat everyone… Lewis Hamilton can definitely win another championship,” says Johnny Herbert.
“Motivation will be a key factor. And the motivation he draws from the car will naturally be greater if it allows him to avoid those small mistakes.”
Over the past two years, however, Lewis Hamilton has been challenged at Mercedes F1 by George Russell, who notably outperformed him in qualifying. A worrying sign according to Herbert? Not really.
“I could probably criticize Hamilton by saying he made more mistakes than usual, but I think the situation at Mercedes didn’t help him.”
“Last year, we saw him deliver brilliant races in the final rounds; he was really strong,” adds Herbert.
“Hamilton is definitely hungry for another title. Now, everything rests on Fred Vasseur to provide him with the car to make it happen.”
“2025 is a great opportunity for Ferrari to improve its car compared to 2024 and arrive with an even more competitive package.”
“The timing could be perfect, but we also need to see what happens in 2026, when everything will once again depend on the quality of the car.”
Montoya: Ferrari should prioritize Hamilton over Leclerc
Even if Ferrari builds a winning car, Lewis Hamilton will first have to beat his teammate Charles Leclerc to secure the title. And that will certainly be a tough challenge.
Juan Pablo Montoya has a bold idea: the former McLaren F1 driver believes Ferrari should clearly make Lewis Hamilton its number one driver this season—even if it means sacrificing Charles Leclerc’s championship chances. After all, Red Bull with Max Verstappen and Mercedes F1 with George Russell will also have clear team leaders.
“The main issue, in my view, will be the interaction between Charles and Lewis and how that relationship evolves,” explains Montoya.
“That will be the key factor: how they work together and whether Ferrari can manage that relationship properly. But it’s in their best interest to go all in on Lewis. And I think they will.”
“Officially, they will say both drivers will be treated equally and allowed to fight. But Mercedes always said they were equal too! And last year, George started beating Lewis for the first time after his departure was announced.”
Why prioritize Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc? According to Montoya, the Briton seems more motivated than ever.
“When someone changes teams like Lewis, they always say they’re happier and feel more comfortable than before,” he says. “That’s the usual corporate talk.”
“But I truly believe he wants this title. He wants it more than anything. He wants to win. That will play a big role. It’s hard to predict what will happen or how strong Ferrari will be.”
“But if you look at the car at the end of last year, it was the closest to McLaren. So, by being the closest to McLaren, they are not far off.”
Mansell: Hamilton’s biggest supporter, ‘the greatest of all time’
1992 world champion Nigel Mansell also hopes Lewis Hamilton will write a true fairy tale at Maranello. A victory in the first Grand Prix, in Melbourne, would be unforgettable for him.
“Lewis has done something incredible. If not the greatest achievement… I think he is simply the greatest of all time.”
“I hope he wins his first race, just like I did, because it’s a magical moment to triumph with a new team right from the start. Ferrari is at the peak of its craft.”
“The timing is perfect. Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren are all in the fight. This season could be one of the most memorable in Formula 1 history.”
The former Maranello driver recalls the emotion and passion surrounding the Scuderia in Italy.
“Driving for Ferrari… A lot of people go to see the Pope. But the Pope, he comes to see Ferrari!” jokes Mansell. “All the church bells ring when Ferrari wins. That doesn’t happen in any other country.”
“The fans are simply incredible. Winning my first race with Ferrari was one of the most magical moments of my life.”
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Mansell Dreams of Hamilton’s Fairytale Triumph at Ferrari Mansell Dreams of Hamilton’s Fairytale Triumph at Ferrari Mansell Dreams of Hamilton’s Fairytale Triumph at Ferrari
