Former Ferrari driver Giancarlo Fisichella thinks that Michael Schumacher would be happy with Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari, although he would know better than anyone that the atmosphere at Ferrari is very different from that at Mercedes. In any case, the Italian thinks that Hamilton will feel at home with the Italian racing team.
Fisichella joined Ferrari in 2009 after a year and a half at Force India, the former Aston Martin. The Italian racing team last won a constructors’ title in 2008 and a drivers’ title in 2007. Schumacher left in 2006, two years after Ferrari’s dominant era ended. The German F1 legend won five of his seven titles with Ferrari. Hamilton plans to win his eighth title with the team from Maranello. “I think Michael would be happy that Lewis will drive for Ferrari next year,” Fisichella responds to OCB Scores. “And if he becomes champion, why not?”
The story about Hamilton’s hunt for his eighth title is known to everyone. The Briton did not win the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, meaning the title went to Max Verstappen. Mercedes has been having a hard time since 2022, and it does not seem that the German team will be able to challenge Red Bull anytime soon. At the beginning of February, Hamilton announced that he will exchange the Silver Arrows for the prancing horse at the end of 2024. Fisichella doesn’t have much advice for the Brit, but wants to give him some advice: ‘I would tell him that Ferrari is a fantastic team. It’s a bit different than other teams, Ferrari is more like a family. He’ll feel good there.’
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How realistic is Hamilton’s eighth title?
It is clear that the seven-time world champion does not think he can still win his eighth title at Mercedes. The German racing team also did not achieve convincing results in the first two races of the 2024 season. Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard pointed out that Hamilton is already mentally at Ferrari. Unfortunately, the Briton has to wait another 22 races before the time really comes. The season is still long, and Mercedes, however, sounded more positive about the W15 than about the W14 at the start of the season. At Ferrari, Hamilton will have Charles Leclerc as a teammate. There is immediately a lot at stake for both drivers.
Should Ferrari be able to challenge for the title in 2025, 2026 or beyond, Leclerc’s aim would be to beat his highly experienced teammate. It is then up to Hamilton to show his younger teammate that he can still do it. In addition, the regulations will change again in 2026, which can also change a lot. Ferrari can have a fantastic car, but it can also go completely wrong. The same applies to Red Bull Racing and Mercedes. In any case, Hamilton will have to last another season with the Silver Arrows.
