Flavio Briatore Criticizes Ferrari’s Decision of Signing Lewis Hamilton instead of…….read more
An influential figure in Formula 1, Flavio Briatore, has expressed doubts about Ferrari’s decision to sign seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, calling it a potentially questionable move. Briatore, who has rejoined the F1 paddock in an advisory role with Alpine, acknowledged the impact Hamilton could have on the sport but questioned whether the British driver’s move to Ferrari was the right decision, given the team’s current lineup.
Hamilton, now 40, is chasing a record-breaking eighth World Drivers’ Championship title, which would make him the third-oldest champion in history, and the oldest since the 1957 season. His desire to extend his dominance in F1 comes at a crucial point in his career, especially after a challenging 2024 season where he struggled in several key areas. While both Hamilton and his teammate George Russell secured two wins each during the season, Hamilton found himself down in seventh place in the final standings, a significant drop compared to his usual position at the top of the grid. Russell finished ahead of him in sixth, highlighting Hamilton’s difficulties in comparison to his younger teammate.
Hamilton’s struggles in qualifying, where he was outperformed by Russell 19-5 over the season, were particularly notable. His tendency to lose positions in qualifying sessions made his results even harder to achieve on race day. This season-long battle with Russell adds to the challenges Hamilton now faces as he prepares to join Ferrari, where he will be pitted against one of the grid’s finest qualifiers, Charles Leclerc.
Leclerc, known for his consistent speed and ability to get the best out of a car, has secured 26 pole positions in his career, including three in the 2024 season. Despite not always having the fastest car, Leclerc’s impressive qualifying record and his experience with Ferrari are significant factors that could challenge Hamilton in a new environment.
Briatore, who has long been an outspoken and sometimes controversial figure in F1, expressed his skepticism about Ferrari’s decision to break up what was a strong driver pairing between Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. He questioned why Ferrari would disrupt this effective partnership, especially after both drivers had shown great potential. “Ferrari had two top drivers in Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz,” Briatore noted. “I don’t understand why they split up this great pairing. If I had been in a position of responsibility at Ferrari, I wouldn’t have signed Lewis.”
While Briatore conceded that Hamilton’s presence in Ferrari could benefit Formula 1 overall, he remained uncertain about how it would play out for the team. “In principle, it’s good for Formula 1 if Lewis drives for Ferrari,” Briatore said. “And everything that’s good for Formula 1 is good for me too. It’s certainly good for television and the ratings too. But we’ll have to wait and see how well he drives in the Ferrari.”
Briatore’s comments reflect a broader debate within the sport about whether Hamilton, who has enjoyed unparalleled success with Mercedes, can replicate that success in a Ferrari that has yet to consistently challenge for championships in recent seasons. The move also raises questions about Ferrari’s strategy and whether Hamilton’s experience will be enough to help them return to the top.
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Hamilton’s performance in his new Ferrari colors, and whether he can continue to fight for titles or if the challenges ahead will prove too much, even for one of F1’s most successful drivers. Only time will tell whether the decision will be a masterstroke for Ferrari or an ambitious risk that doesn’t pay off.
