Lewis Hamilton’s seismic decision to part ways with Mercedes after over two decades and multiple records to join Ferrari is sending shockwaves across the F1 paddock. With 104 poles, 105 victories, and seven world titles, Hamilton is heading to Maranello, where he hopes to etch his name as part of Ferrari’s storied legacy. Former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve believes this bold move could solidify Hamilton’s status as the greatest driver of all time—if he can deliver a title in scarlet.
Villeneuve, whose father Gilles remains a Ferrari legend, sees Hamilton’s switch as the ultimate test. Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, Villeneuve said: “That is the next step for Hamilton to become the greatest driver ever. Winning again with Mercedes would not really serve any purpose. But winning with Ferrari? There’s nothing bigger in the world after everything he has achieved.”
Hamilton’s leap to Ferrari also carries considerable risk, as the team has faced challenges with inconsistent performance over the last few seasons. Villeneuve believes this move was almost unavoidable after Mercedes struggled to adapt to the ground-effect regulations introduced back in 2022: “When he signed, there was nothing to see. All he could see was where Mercedes had gone. It was time to move. Sometimes you go on a hunch, and you jump, and you hope the other ship isbetter.”
He went on to compare Hamilton’s Ferrari decision to his own controversial switch to Mercedes back in 2013, which turned out to be life-changing: “He looked like a hero when he went to Mercedes, and people asked, ‘Is he crazy?’ It turned out to be the best decision of his career. Ferrari offers him the same chance to cement his legacy.”
Villeneuve highlighted the sheer magnitude of Hamilton’s gamble, stating: “It’s Ferrari. It’s the biggest name in motorsport. Lewis is the biggest name in racing. Link the two, and it’s magic. If he wins, it’s game over—he’ll be untouchable as the sport’s greatest driver. But if he doesn’t, he still has all the records. The risk is worth it.”
For Hamilton, making the switch means starting from scratch. He’ll have to adapt to the new culture at Ferrari, leaving behind the trusted engineers and team members he’s relied on at Mercedes. Villeneuve stressed the importance of starting afresh: “When you do a big move like this, you start afresh. No old engineers or personal ties. This is about creating something new and proving yourself all over again.”
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s final season with Mercedes has been less than stellar. Though he experienced some standout moments, including victories at Silverstone and Spa, the writing seemed to be on the wall as the season progressed. Villeneuve noted Hamilton’s current struggles stem from his desire to exit on the right footing: “His heart and head are already at Ferrari. He knows he can’t win the championship this year with Mercedes, so why invest in building the car and team for someone else? He’s just finishing his contract.”
The rising star for Mercedes is Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who has been touted as the future of the team, pairing with George Russell next season. Villeneuve believes Mercedes has nurtured Antonelli for years as part of their long-term development plans. He argued: “Toto Wolff sees him as a long-term project. His FP1 at Monza wasn’t perfect, but full race weekends will be a different story. We’ll see how F1 works out for him.”
Looking to the future, Hamilton's switch to Ferrari could define 2025, with the potential for him to either reclaim his dominant status or solidify his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Villeneuve summed it up perfectly, stating, “Winning with Ferrari is the ultimate prize. It’s a gamble, but one worth taking. If anyone can pull it off, it’s Lewis Hamilton.”
Yet, before he even dons the iconic red of Ferrari, Hamilton must face the closure of his era with Mercedes and the winding down of his time with the team where he has had monumental success. The 2024 season began with promise after Hamilton secured victory at Silverstone, but his hopes quickly soured as the season wore on, leading to disappointment as Mercedes failed to rise to the challenge posed by its competitors. Hamilton's silver linings were few and far between during this final phase.
It was even more heartbreaking considering the early signs were there for change. Success at the British Grand Prix ended Hamilton's two-and-a-half-year drought of wins, and fans began to hope for resurgence within the Silver Arrows camp. But hopes soon collapsed as inconsistent performances returned, stemming from the unpredictability linked to the team’s latest model, the W15.
The W15 has been described as temperamental, to say the least. A lack of grip at the rear and issues with bouncing and tyre degradation were just some of the challenges Hamilton faced this year, making it nearly impossible to translate potential speed on paper to performance on the track. Team engineer Andrew Shovlin explained the intricacies involved: “Even small setup tweaks can push the car in and out of its optimal performance window. It becomes really tricky.”
At 39, Hamilton remains one of the sport’s most accomplished figures. Yet the lapses throughout the latter part of the season have led to speculations about whether time is catching up with him. Mercedes team boss Wolff's earlier statements on drivers having shelf life did little to quell the wind of change surrounding Hamilton's prospects within the team. The competition from his younger teammate Russell, who also expressed frustration at the W15's unpredictability, only amplified those concerns.
With the 2024 season winding to its uneventful conclusion, Hamilton has made adroit declarations about redirecting his energy and enthusiasm toward his upcoming chapter with Ferrari. This focus overlaying Hamilton’s final races brings with it both hope for new beginnings but also the challenge of saying goodbye to the prestigious legacy of Mercedes, where he has accrued so much success.
Hamilton's subdued demeanor during the close of the season tells the story; it’s as if his heart is already at Maranello, longing for the fresh challenges and promise the home of the Prancing Horse brings. “I don’t care if I finish ahead of George or behind George,” Hamilton remarked. His focus has shifted firmly toward 2025, where he aims to make his mark as part of Ferrari.
The final phase of his adventure with Mercedes might still hold room for one last hurrah. The unpredictable nature of the circuits to complete the season could provide Hamilton the stage to remind his critics and followers of his undying talent. But the harsh realities of operational limits and growing frustrations could easily eclipse those hopes as well, with Hamilton battling not just the track but the very limits imposed upon his machinery.
Yet still, for Hamilton, the 2025 season will represent not just another chance, but possibly the last opportunity to shape the narrative of his illustrious F1 career and the legacy of Ferrari. With anticipation building around his debut, the competitive prospects seem as vast as the challenges at hand. Hamilton’s legacy feels on the brink of being redrawn as history watches and waits to see how the next chapter will unfurl.
Whether reaping the ultimate prize with Ferrari or continuing to battle against the odds at Mercedes, one thing remains clear: Hamilton’s legacy is already woven deeply within the fabric of Formula 1, and the time for him to cement it even more has come. The road ahead, filled with potential and uncertainty, promises to be just as exhilarating as any race we've seen.
