Ferrari president John Elkann says that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is not coming to enjoy retirement, but to win a record title, and they with him the championship.
Before the start of the current season, the motorsport world was in disbelief when the information arrived that the seven-time world champion decided to change the team with which he won six titles.
Signing for Ferrari was a major turning point in the Briton’s career. In the 2023 season, cooperation with Mercedes was extended. However, there was a clause in his signing that he could leave after one year.
It was this item that was the turning point for Hamilton to move to the team that he later said was from his childhood. Although it was initially said that the contract was signed for two years, it was learned that it was longer, as revealed by the Ferrari boss.
In addition, the seven-time champion was looking for a way to get a competitive car after Mercedes entered the current era of rules with a significant gap in which they remained winless last year.
On the other hand, Ferrari was very competitive at the start, but reliability and strategic mistakes resulted in a significant drop, and Ferrari fell behind Red Bull.
All this resulted in a change at the top: Fred Vasseur was appointed head of Ferrari in place of Mattia Binotto. It was the Frenchman who, together with the president of Ferrari, worked to bring records in victories and pole positions.
The Italian team president made it clear how quickly things happened between Ferrari and Hamilton with the 39-year-old wanting the record title and them the title.
“Some things happen very quickly. It was the moment when he and Ferrari found each other. He wants to win the eighth title, Ferrari wants the title and with Lewis they are stronger. He is not coming to Ferrari to enjoy his retirement and it is important to have motivated people around him who want to win,” Elkann told Corriere dello Sport.
The Ferrari president is not worried that he will have one of the oldest drivers on the grid in the team next year. What is important to him is the consistency of his performance, something that his former winter counterpart has.
“In Formula 1 there is now real competition through 4 teams very close to each other: Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes. It is important to always reach your maximum potential: those with more experience have more consistency, as shown by Hamilton and Alonso himself, and consistency counts,” added John Elkann.
