Italian industrialist John Elkann, the Chief Executive Officer of Exor and the chairman of Ferrari, has made it clear that the Maranello team’s objective for the next seasons is to secure an eighth Formula 1 title with Lewis Hamilton at the helm, emphasizing that the move of the British driver to the iconic Italian team is far from a “retirement” tour.
In a surprising twist, Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes to join Ferrari was confirmed in February, marking the end of his long and successful stint with the Silver Arrows. The move sent shockwaves through the sporting world, uniting Formula 1’s most successful driver with its most legendary constructor.
Scuderia Ferrari has not claimed a drivers’ championship since Kimi Raikkonen’s triumph in 2007, and Lewis Hamilton is poised to bring an end to this title drought. For chairman John Elkann, the mission is clear with Lewis Hamilton in the driver’s seat: ““Certain things happen very quickly. This was the moment when he and Ferrari found each other. He wants to win the eighth title, Ferrari wants to win and with Lewis it is stronger. He doesn’t come to Ferrari to enjoy his retirement and it’s important to have motivated people around him, who want to win.” – the Ferrari president said in a recent interview for Italian daily newspaper Corriere dello Sport.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion will continue racing with Ferrari into his 40s, making him the second-oldest driver on the grid, just behind Fernando Alonso. When asked about the value an older driver like Lewis Hamilton brings to the Maranello team, John Elkann replied: “In Formula 1 there is now real competition, with 4 teams very close: Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes. It is important to always go to the maximum potential: those who have more experience have more regularity as Hamilton and even Alonso himself demonstrate. And regularity counts.”
It’s increasingly common for elite athletes to compete at the highest level well into their late 30s and 40s. In tennis, Novak Djokovic continues to dominate, recently clinching the gold medal at the Olympics in France. John Elkann cited other sporting legends like Roger Federer, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi when discussing Lewis Hamilton’s enduring excellence.
“The two of them, Federer, Biles, Ronaldo, Messi and Paltrinieri himself. With dedication and sacrifices they are overcoming the physical limits due to age. It is also true that we are in a historical phase in which we live longer and the careers of sportsmen and women are also extended.” – the Ferrari president concluded.
