Ferrari delivered crucial Hamilton ‘risk’ warning

Former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has warned the Maranello-based team that signing Lewis Hamilton is a “risk”, as the seven-time world champion could step on Charles Leclerc.

Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari for the 2025 F1 season was announced earlier this year on February 1, with him replacing Carlos Sainz who will join Williams. 

The seven-time world champion has opted to leave Mercedes after 12 seasons to embark on a fresh challenge, with racing in red having been a dream of the 39-year-old’s. 

He joins the Italian outfit on the back of Ferrari finishing second in the 2024 constructors’ standings, following a title fight with old foe McLaren. 

Ferrari is in a great position going into next season, with the team finally having an understanding of how to build a car which can perform consistently in the current regulations. 

In Montezemolo’s eyes, Hamilton will be arriving to Maranello with the expectation that he will be given a car that can win titles, whilst Charles Leclerc is still yet to truly stamp his mark at Ferrari.

“In these years, Ferrari’s problem has not been linked to the drivers, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc are strong,” said Montezemolo on the ‘La Politica nel Pallone’ on Radio GR Parlamento.

“Hamilton is a phenomenon like Verstappen: his arrival in Ferrari is not a marketing operation, he wants to end his career by winning in red. 

“The choice of Lewis Hamilton on one hand is a risk because you take a champion who has won a lot and who comes to Ferrari to win and on the other hand there is a Leclerc who despite having good races has never won and the years go by. 

“It will be a very interesting year for Ferrari, provided that they manage to bridge the gap with McLaren to start already competitive from the first race, they make a car capable of winning in all conditions and there is also clarity of management within the team.”