Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert believes Lewis Hamilton could stand alone in the F1 history books by the time his spell with Ferrari is up.
Hamilton’s shock move to Ferrari in 2025 was confirmed on Thursday, with the 39-year-old closing the curtain on a 12-year stay with Mercedes that yielded six of his seven world titles.
The last of those six titles came in 2020, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen having won the last three on the bounce, and Hamilton will hope his move to Ferrari will greatly improve his chances of clinching an unprecedented eighth crown.
Perfect 10?
He is currently tied with Michael Schumacher on seven, but Herbert believes Hamilton could end his career well clear of the German if the move to Ferrari goes to plan.
“An eighth title is a real possibility,” Herbert told King Casino Bonus. “If he can get the eighth there’s a damn good chance of a ninth and a tenth because if they get it right because that momentum will be something Ferrari would be able to carry on in future seasons.
“That then lifts him to that next level above what Michael achieved with the seven. Getting Lewis is the ultimate coup for Ferrari.
“We have seen signs in the last couple of years to be good enough to take it to Red Bull. But it has been the consistency that has been lacking.
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“Having Lewis on board changes people’s mentality and they are very aware they have got to be on top of everything, because people are at the top of the tree in terms of the process and knitting together at Red Bull.”
Regarding Hamilton’s decision to cut ties with Mercedes, Herbert believes the Brackley-based team can have no complaints as they have not provided their star driver with a competitive car since 2021.
“This is how F1 works,” Herbert added. “Teams do the same. They are always looking for the next big thing who can make it. They should not be bitter because of what he has given them over the years.
“It has been a frustrating time. It should not be unexpected to see Lewis leave because they have not been able to deliver. And when you have not been able to deliver, you are not going to have a happy driver.
“In the circumstances, nobody should be surprised that he is leaving for one of the biggest names in F1 who are on a big upward trajectory and look capable of challenging Red Bull.”
