Ferrari president breaks silence over Lewis Hamilton’s bombshell transfer

Ferrari president John Elkann believes Lewis Hamilton‘s choice to signal with the Italian marque is testomony to his religion within the staff’s possibilities of ending Red Bull’s dominance.

The Briton will be a part of the Scuderia subsequent yr after 11 seasons with Mercedes as he continues to chase a file eighth world title.

The bombshell transfer got here lower than a yr after Hamilton denied talks with Ferrari over an enormous £40million deal and as a substitute signed a two-year extension with the Silver Arrows price a mixed £100m.

The 39-year-old had beforehand expressed his want to stay with Mercedes – the place he has gained six of his seven world championships – for the rest of his profession.

But Ferrari stepped up their efforts to tempt him throughout to Maranello, after Hamilton expressed frustration in latest seasons over under-performing by Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton will be a part of Ferrari subsequent yr after 11 seasons at Mercedes 

The Briton will be a part of forces with Charles Leclerc (left) on the Italian marque 

Ferrari chairman John Elkann is hopeful Hamilton’s arrival can ship a primary title in 16 years

Elkann has lengthy been an admirer of the Briton and performed a significant position in getting the deal over the road by personally chatting with Hamilton. 

‘I’ve all the time mentioned over time how a lot Lewis is a good driver, how a lot he has achieved for Formula One,’ the Ferrari boss advised Sky Sports in Italy.

‘He will be a part of Ferrari and this can be a signal of how a lot he believes he can do nice issues with us.’

Hamilton is statistically the best driver the game has ever seen, main Formula One’s all-time rankings by way of race wins and pole positions.

His seven world titles are equalled solely by Michael Schumacher, who gained 5 consecutive titles with Ferrari.

But over the previous two years Red Bull’s stranglehold on Formula One has been such that Hamilton hasn’t completed on prime of the rostrum for the reason that 2021 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.

Ferrari have not gained the drivers’ championship since 2007 and their final constructors’ crown dates again to the next yr, by the way when Hamilton pipped Felipe Massa to the title on the ultimate nook of the final race of the season in Brazil.

But Elkann steered an influence shift in Formula One could possibly be on the playing cards with new rules are set to come back into place in 2026.

‘By 2026 a cycle will shut, then one other will open,’ the Ferrari president mentioned.

‘The necessary factor will probably be to all the time be aggressive and proceed to gas this spirit.’

Max Verstappen has claimed pole and gained the primary two races of the season, with teammate Sergio Perez coming second on each events.

Ferrari have completed third twice, with Carlos Sainz third in Bahrain and Charles Leclerc in Saudi Arabia, outcomes which Elkann believes bode nicely for the rest of the marketing campaign.

‘If we have a look at the place we had been a yr in the past, we began higher,’ he mentioned.

‘The necessary factor is to enhance and progress. This is the dynamic that exists in Ferrari and it needs to be praised and supported.

‘There is a want to make sure that we deliver the Ferrari to do the absolute best and this was palpable as we speak. This, I imply, from everybody.’

Hamilton was filled with reward for Oliver Bearman (proper) after the Saudi Arabian GP

Bearman completed seventh on his Formula One debut in Jeddah forward of Hamilton

With Sainz out of the Saudi GP because of appendicitis, Ferrari drafted in Oliver Bearman as last-minute substitute.

The 18-year-old Briton completed seventh on his race debut after qualifying eleventh and was hailed as a ‘future star’ by Hamilton, who warmly embraced him on the finish of the race.

‘If one thinks he [Bearman] can keep forward of Hamilton and Lando Norris on his debut, I feel Oliver will keep in mind this for his complete life,’ Elkann mentioned.

‘The hug that Lewis wished to present him reveals what an important champion he’s on and off the monitor.’