In a surprising turn of events, Ferrari’s pursuit of Formula 1 glory has been thrown into question as doubts emerge about the effectiveness of their latest signing, Lewis Hamilton. The Italian constructors are set to officially announce Hamilton’s move from Mercedes ahead of the 2025 season, marking the end of the British driver’s illustrious 12-year tenure with his current team. However, recent comments from ex-racing driver Tom Coronel suggest that Ferrari’s decision might not lead them to the championship they have been longing for.
Ferrari’s last constructors’ title came in 2008, and their recent attempts to reclaim their former glory have been bold. The acquisition of Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, is a clear indication of their ambition. Yet, Coronel believes that Ferrari’s true intention was to sign reigning champion Max Verstappen instead of Hamilton. Writing for Formule1.NL, Coronel expressed his view that while Hamilton remains an exceptional driver, Ferrari’s primary goal was to secure Verstappen’s services.
“Lewis Hamilton is and remains a top driver, who secretly could still win a world title. And I would really like to grant him that,” Coronel stated. He acknowledged Hamilton’s recent victories, including his triumphs in Belgium and Silverstone, underscoring that the British driver remains a formidable competitor. However, Coronel’s assessment takes a critical turn when he suggests that Ferrari’s move for Hamilton was not their first choice.
“Ferrari can only become world champion with Max, they won’t succeed with Hamilton. He is second choice, but better second than third choice,” Coronel argued. He implied that Ferrari’s strategic move might have been influenced by a desire to secure Verstappen, who is currently driving for Red Bull and is widely regarded as one of the best drivers on the grid. According to Coronel, Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari might not be enough to bring the team the championship it craves, as he anticipates Hamilton struggling to compete against top rivals like Mercedes.
In addition to the concerns about Hamilton’s potential impact, Ferrari’s transformation efforts have faced other setbacks. Hamilton’s race engineer, Pete Bonnington, who was rumored to follow him to Ferrari, will instead be staying with Mercedes in a newly promoted role as Head of Race Engineering. This development raises questions about who will fill Bonnington’s position and whether Hamilton’s successor at Mercedes, George Russell, might become a significant competitor for Ferrari.
The forthcoming season will test Ferrari’s strategies and Hamilton’s adaptability in his new environment. While the team hopes that Hamilton’s arrival will mark a new era of success, the doubts cast by Coronel suggest that the road to the championship may still be fraught with challenges. As Ferrari continues its quest for an elusive title, the true impact of Hamilton’s move and the team’s overall direction will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.
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