Former Ferrari charger Jean Alesi believes a championship win with the House of Maranello would elevate Lewis Hamilton to an unparalleled status – a "hero forever"!
Hamilton, who spent the majority of his career in F1 with McLaren and Mercedes, shocked the motorsport world a year ago by making the leap to Ferrari.
After three challenging years at Mercedes, the Briton’s partnership with the Silver Arrows squad came to an end, and now, he stands on the precipice of a new journey with Formula 1’s most iconic team.
Next week, Hamilton will take his first steps into this new era, making his debut behind the wheel of a Ferrari at Fiorano, followed by further private testing in Barcelona.
For Alesi, a lifelong Ferrari fan who carried the Scuderia’s banner from 1991 to 1995, the prospect of Hamilton in red is electrifying.
“Yes, of course,” Alesi said, speaking to Dutch website F1 Maximaal. “I am a Ferrari fan, that is no question. But also to see McLaren back at the top, that is fantastic for Formula 1.
“All those historic teams, they deserve to be back at the top.”
Ferrari has come agonizingly close to winning the world title in the 15 years, both with Fernando Alonso and with Sebastian Vettel.
With Frédéric Vasseur now steering the team as its principal, the Scuderia appears better positioned to compete for the top honors.
Hamilton’s goal is not just another championship—it’s the championship.
Winning an eighth world title would see him surpass Michael Schumacher’s long-standing record, a feat that would already secure his place in the pantheon of sporting legends.
But according to Alesi, it’s not just about the number of titles; it’s about where that achievement takes place.
“He has nothing more to prove in another team,” Alesi said. “But with Ferrari, that could change his life if his life is already that of a champion of champions.
“Winning with Ferrari will make him a hero forever.”
Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari brings with it an intriguing intra-team rivalry.
Standing in his way is Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s homegrown star and a driver whose raw talent has made him a fan favorite.
Alesi believes the dynamic between Hamilton and Leclerc will be fascinating to watch, particularly given their contrasting strengths.
“That is difficult to predict,” the Frenchman admitted. “Hamilton reads the tyres, he reads the traffic. We can say he has the experience, but I don’t think it’s just the experience.
“He has a different feeling and is very strong in terms of race pace.
“Charles is very strong in qualifying, and of course your starting position on the grid is always very important. It will be very interesting to see what will happen between those two.”
For Hamilton, this is more than just another chapter in an already illustrious career – it is a chance to cement his legacy as one of Formula 1’s greatest drivers.
Winning with Ferrari carries a weight unlike any other achievement in the sport. It is a task that has transformed legends - like Niki Lauda or Michael Schumacher – into immortals, and Alesi believes Hamilton could be next in line.
The Frenchman’s words resonate deeply with the reverence Ferrari holds within the sport: “Winning with Ferrari will make him a hero forever.”
As Hamilton begins his journey with the Scuderia, fans and rivals alike will watch with bated breath.
Should he succeed, his name will be etched not just in the record books, but in the hearts of Tifosi around the world as a symbol of Ferrari’s triumphant return to glory.
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