Max Verstappen believes Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari presents the seven-time world champion with a prime opportunity to prove he remains at the top of his game in F1.
Verstappen, who has dominated the sport in recent years, dismissed any notion of decline for his former title rival, predicting Hamilton will bring his hallmark determination to the Scuderia if given the tools to succeed.
Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari has been one of the most talked-about moves in F1 history.
Much to the astonishment of the F1 community, the Briton announced his exit from Mercedes and subsequent move to Maranello just before the start of the sport’s 2024 campaign.
Hamilton activated a release clause in his contract with the Brackley squad to pursue a fresh challenge with Ferrari.
His final season with Mercedes had its highs, including wins at Silverstone and Spa, but the campaign was overshadowed by struggles in qualifying, where Hamilton lost 19-5 to teammate George Russell.
In Qatar, the F1 veteran openly questioned whether he was “definitely not fast anymore,” reflecting on a year of mixed fortunes and dwindling motivation.
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Verstappen, however, attributes Hamilton’s inconsistencies in 2024 to the challenges of racing while knowing his time at Mercedes was ending.
“It has been tough for him to get motivated fully this year [2024] because he knows he is leaving the team,” Verstappen told PA news agency.
“I felt like as soon as he had that competitive car, and there was a chance of winning, you could see that he really stepped up. Then there were some races where the car was difficult, and he was like: ‘Whatever.’”
Heading into his 40th birthday in 2025, Hamilton faces the daunting task of spearheading Ferrari’s bid to return to championship glory alongside Charles Leclerc.
But Verstappen has no doubts about Hamilton’s ability to rise to the occasion.
“I don’t think he will ever lose it,” Verstappen said. “He has achieved so much. It is a new challenge for him next year [2025].
“He will be very, very motivated to show he is a seven-time World Champion.
“But it will depend on the material he has got.”
Despite Hamilton’s unrelenting drive, Verstappen offered a sobering reminder of the challenges ahead.
Ferrari showed progress in 2024 by finishing second in the Constructors’ Championship, but their ability to provide Hamilton with a title-winning car remains uncertain.
As Verstappen prepares for his own 2025 campaign alongside new Red Bull teammate Liam Lawson, his respect for Hamilton underscores the enduring legacy of a driver determined to rewrite the record books.
For Grand Prix racing’s 105-time record winner, Ferrari represents both a fresh start and a chance to prove his doubters wrong as he chases an unprecedented eighth World Championship.
Whether the Scuderia can deliver the car Hamilton needs remains to be seen, but his intent to "step up" in red is clear.
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