Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes, a team with which he has achieved unprecedented success, marks a significant turning point in his illustrious career.
The seven-time world champion’s 104 pole positions and 105 Grand Prix victories have all been secured with Mercedes power.
While Hamilton’s unrivaled track record is a testament to his extraordinary talent, winning a championship with Ferrari would elevate F1 veteran to an even higher pedestal, according to Villeneuve.
“That is the next step for Hamilton to become the greatest driver ever,” Villeneuve said in a recent interview with Grosvenor Sport.
“Winning again with Mercedes would not really serve any purpose. But winning with Ferrari? There’s nothing bigger in the world after everything he has achieved.”
Villeneuve, whose late father Gilles became a Ferrari legend in his own right, sees the Italian outfit as the perfect platform for Hamilton to redefine his legacy.
“When he signed, there was nothing to see,” the Canadian added. “All he could see was where Mercedes had gone. So, it was time to move. And sometimes you go on a hunch, and you jump, and you hope that the other ship is better.
“Then you look like a hero like he did when he went to Mercedes and people were asking, ‘What is he doing? Is he crazy? It turned out to be good.”
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari comes at a time when the Scuderia is rebuilding its strength. Recent improvements have made the team a more competitive force, but the gamble remains substantial.
“When he did sign for Ferrari, nothing was in place like it is now. It wasn’t the Ferrari we see today,” explained the 1997 F1 world champion.
“That’s what you have to understand. It is a Ferrari. It’s the biggest name in the car or motorsport industry, and Lewis has been the biggest name. So, link the two. Look how the shares went up in Ferrari.”
For Villeneuve, the stakes are clear. Success with Ferrari would be the crowning achievement of Hamilton’s illustrious career.
“Winning wth Ferrari, that’s it,” he said. “And he will cement his name. It’s very simple. If he doesn’t win with Ferrari, he still has got all the records. That would just be the ultimate step.
“So it’s worth taking the gamble.”
Hamilton’s final year with Mercedes has been mostly unremarkable despite some fleeting successes, such as victories at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps.
The relationship between the Briton and the team has grown strained, with both sides preparing to part ways.
“Right now, he’s just finishing his contract,” Villeneuve observed, suggesting Hamilton’s focus may already be shifting to his Ferrari future.
“His heart and his head are probably somewhere else already! He knew that he couldn’t win the championship this year with Mercedes, maybe a race or two, but not the championship.
“So why put all that energy into building the car and the team for someone else?”
While some critics have questioned whether Hamilton still possesses the drive and skill to succeed at the highest level, Villeneuve dismissed these doubts outright.
“With everything he’s been able to do, he’s still capable of doing it. There’s no doubt there. Just because it’s not working right now with Mercedes doesn’t mean that he’s lost it,” he insisted.
As Ferrari rolls out the red carpet for Hamilton, the stage is set for the Briton to embark on a new chapter in his storied career.
For Villeneuve, the move is as much about ambition as it is about legacy. Hamilton has nothing left to prove but everything to gain, and the allure of Ferrari offers the ultimate test for a driver of his caliber.
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