F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Verstappen: Hamilton dream move to Ferrari ‘will look cool’

Max Verstappen chimed in on the amazing news of Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025, the Red Bull charger expressing hope for the Briton’s success and even excitement at the prospect of facing him in red.

Hamilton’s switch could set the stage for a potential historic challenge at Ferrari, aiming for an unprecedented eighth world title – a feat Verstappen denied the current Mercedes driver in their intense and controversial 2021 championship battle.

Verstappen acknowledged the logical appeal of Hamilton’s decision for a driver of his stature.

“At the end of the day, if someone wants to drive for Ferrari, and especially someone like Lewis who has achieved so much, that’s his dream and goal,” he said.

“And again, we don’t know the talks that they had at Mercedes at Ferrari, what they think is coming. So you can’t give an honest assessment from our side why you make that decision.

“But if he is happy with that move then he should go. I think, it will look cool. And of course, I hope for them that it’s going to be a success, but you don’t know that.”

Read also:

Addressing the same topic, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner suggested that Hamilton had opted to join Ferrari because he expects the Scuderia to be more competitive than Mercedes in the future.

“I think everybody was surprised – even his existing team – about Lewis’s move to Ferrari,” said Horner.

“But he’s obviously seen something there that he believes in that serves him better than staying where he is.

©X

“Obviously he’s got still a season to go with his existing team, but he’s proven in the past that he’s not shy of making brave decisions.

“His move from McLaren to Mercedes, for all intents and purposes, looked not to be the right one at the time but proved to be an inspired one.

“So I’m sure he will have thought about it long and hard and for Formula 1, a Hamilton-Ferrari tie-up is pretty exciting.”

Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2021. But Hamilton’s bold decision inevitably triggered questions about whether the three-time world champion would ever contemplate a similar move.

“I don’t want to sound disrespectful or whatever. I have a lot of respect for the brand Ferrari. But I’m very happy where I’m at the moment,” he said.

“I’m comfortable in the environment that I’m in, it’s not something that I’m looking to change or whatever. But in my life also I know that from what I’ve experienced so far never say never with things.

“But for me now, no, it’s not even in my head. But again, it’s only Formula 1. I want to do more things than Formula 1 as well.”

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Marko: ‘No chance at all’ for Red Bull in Las Vegas

Helmut Marko believes that Red Bull and Max Verstappen are unlikely to challenge for victory…

6 hours ago

GM revives bid to join F1 with accelerated talks for 2026 entry

Automotive giant General Motors is reportedly back in the game as a potential entrant in…

8 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Thursday's action in pictures

The opening day of running at the Las Vegas GP was a smooth but chilly…

9 hours ago

Williams' headaches persist into Vegas practice

Williams is continuing to fight uphill battles this weekend in Las Vegas as a knock-on…

10 hours ago

Ferrari's Sainz 'not satisfied with where we are' in Vegas

It was a solid start to the Las Vegas weekend for Ferrari with Carlos Sainz…

11 hours ago

Norris labels McLaren long-run pace ‘shocking’ in chilly Vegas

Lando Norris didn’t hold back in his assessment of McLaren’s performance on the opening day…

12 hours ago