Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari slammed again with ‘bankrupt’ warning issued to…read more
Lewis Hamilton’s upcoming move to Ferrari for the 2025 Formula One season has sparked a wave of criticism, particularly from Dutch racing driver Tom Coronel. Coronel has strongly questioned Ferrari’s decision to sign Hamilton, arguing that the Italian team should have focused their efforts on securing Max Verstappen, instead of bringing the seven-time world champion into the fold. Coronel even suggested that Ferrari should have offered Verstappen an open-ended contract, allowing him to choose his own salary, in a bid to bring the Dutch driver to the Scuderia.
The criticism comes in the wake of Hamilton’s first practice session as a Ferrari driver, held at the team’s training facility. While Hamilton appears excited about the prospect of joining Ferrari, Coronel remains unconvinced. In an interview with RacingNews365, Coronel expressed his belief that the legacy of Ferrari is so significant in the motorsport world that they should have prioritized Verstappen above all else. He emphasized that winning a world title with Ferrari is a major milestone for any driver, and suggested that the substantial financial investment it would take to secure Verstappen would be worthwhile for the team, even if it meant pushing Ferrari to the brink of bankruptcy.
Hamilton’s perspective on the matter is clearly different. The British driver has shown immense enthusiasm for his transition to Ferrari, describing his first experience driving a Scuderia car as one of the best moments of his life. He spoke about the excitement he felt, noting that it reminded him of his first-ever Formula One test. Hamilton was visibly thrilled by the experience, describing how it felt like a return to the emotions he felt nearly 20 years ago when he first entered the sport.
Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, also expressed satisfaction with Hamilton’s initial practice session, emphasizing that the main purpose of the event was to help both the drivers and the team prepare for the season ahead. It served as a warm-up for the garage crew as much as it did for Hamilton and his teammates. This session is seen as a key step in the build-up to the first official test scheduled for Bahrain in just a month’s time, where the team will continue to assess their performance ahead of the new season.
Hamilton also took the time to express his admiration for Ferrari’s rich history and passionate fanbase, known as the Tifosi. He mentioned how inspiring it was to experience Ferrari’s culture and fan enthusiasm firsthand. He had always known about the team’s legendary status from the outside, but being a part of it has had a profound impact on him, energizing him as he prepares for the new chapter in his illustrious career.
The 2025 F1 season is set to begin on March 16, and Hamilton’s debut with Ferrari will undoubtedly be one of the biggest storylines of the year
