The former Benetton and Renault boss has offered his opinion on the news that Lewis Hamilton is moving to Ferrari.
Flavio Briatore is of the opinion that even if the car is not up to the mark, it would be a tough task for anyone, including “Batman,” to lead Ferrari to a World Championship. This serves as a warning to Lewis Hamilton.
On February 1st, it was officially announced that Hamilton would be leaving Mercedes after 12 seasons, concluding at the end of the 2024 season. He has signed a multi-year contract with Ferrari and will be partnering with Charles Leclerc starting from 2025.
Hamilton has expressed his excitement, calling it a “childhood dream” to race for Ferrari. Despite rejecting their offers multiple times in his career, he is now heading to Maranello with the ambition of competing for an eighth World Championship.
However, Ferrari, similar to Mercedes, is confronted with a significant obstacle in their pursuit of Red Bull before 2026 due to the rules reset. This reset has created a substantial gap, which was established by Christian Horner’s team in 2023. Despite this, Ferrari did demonstrate commendable progress in comprehending their car over the course of the season. They implemented robust advancements and came within a mere three points of surpassing a struggling Mercedes to secure second place in the Constructors’ Championship.
However, Briatore has issued a warning to the British driver regarding the magnitude of the task that lies ahead.
Briatore on Hamilton to Ferrari
Briatore expressed his astonishment at Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari, acknowledging that he must have had valid reasons for making such a move.
He emphasized the importance of adapting to the new reality and wished Hamilton and the team the best of luck.
As for his opinion on the choice, Briatore admitted uncertainty. He highlighted the significance of having a well-performing car, stating that even if a talented driver like Batman were in the team, their impact would be limited if the car is not competitive. Ultimately, the functionality of the machine is crucial.
Leclerc and Sainz are quite alike in my opinion, and the decision was made by the people who interact with them regularly. If Ferrari has chosen them, it must be because they believe it’s the right decision for their team. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to have a car that provides the driver with an opportunity to secure victories.
Hamilton, despite his previous statement about not racing into his 40s, will finally join the Scuderia at the age of 40. This decision aligns with the recent trend of drivers continuing to compete beyond their 40th birthday. Notably, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, and Michael Schumacher have all raced on, with Alonso even celebrating his 43rd birthday during the upcoming season.
Briatore made it clear that age should not be a worry, even using his ex-driver as an illustration.
“Let’s put an end to this age debate,” he emphasized.
“In Formula 1, what truly counts is the stopwatch. Look at what Alonso achieved last year, and remember that Hamilton is even younger by two years. He’s definitely not fragile or delicate like a flower or a primrose.”
Nevertheless, we are discussing seasoned drivers who possess extensive expertise. Their sole concern lies in your lap times during the race, your consistency, and your contribution to setting up the car. Age and height hold no significance to them whatsoever.
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