Hamilton and Verstappen famously clashed in an intense 2021 title battle, creating friction between the Mercedes and Red Bull camps. However, since F1’s shift to ground-effect cars in 2022, Red Bull has dominated, while Mercedes has struggled to adapt, reducing on-track battles between the two.
Still, when Hamilton and Verstappen have been close on track, incidents often follow, like their collision earlier this season at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
With Hamilton likely heading to Ferrari, he may mount a more consistent challenge against Verstappen, who is set for his fourth consecutive title. Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes to join the Italian team appears well-timed, given Ferrari’s recent victories in Austin and Mexico, which position it as a championship contender, while Mercedes has faltered.
Horner acknowledged Hamilton’s timing, expressing curiosity about how he’ll adjust to life at Ferrari. Speaking to talkSPORT, Horner said, “He’s leaving a comfortable environment he’s known for over a decade, and that will be a shift for him.”
He added that Ferrari’s momentum and the presence of a fast teammate like Charles Leclerc make it an exciting prospect. “Lewis must see something in Ferrari’s future to make this move, and it’ll be fascinating to see how that unfolds.”
Hamilton Finds Encouragement in Ferrari’s Recent Progress
Ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton revealed that Ferrari’s recent progress has boosted his confidence as he approaches the next phase of his career.
Speaking to media outlets, including Motorsport Week, Hamilton expressed, “I’m very interested in my future, of course,” adding that he’s been observing the developments closely.
When asked specifically about Ferrari’s resurgence and if it encouraged him, Hamilton replied, “Of course.”
Reflecting on the season, he noted how Red Bull initially held a significant lead but highlighted the impressive progress made by McLaren and Ferrari in recent races. “To see their progress and just trying to keep an eye on everyone’s car and what they’re changing and what they’re adding,” he remarked.