Sir Jackie Stewart, one of the most respected figures in motorsport history, has had a front-row seat to witness every single one of Formula 1’s 75 seasons. Throughout his decades-long involvement in the sport, he has seen legends come and go, each leaving their own unique mark on the championship’s legacy.
In the early years, Jackie Stewart regarded five-time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio, who dominated the 1950s, as his ultimate hero and inspiration. The following decade, the smooth yet aggressive driving style of fellow Scotsman Jim Clark left a deep impression on him, motivating Stewart to push himself to new heights. His own hard work paid off as he went on to secure three world championships in 1969, 1971, and 1973.
After hanging up his helmet, Jackie Stewart transitioned into team ownership, founding Stewart Grand Prix. His squad competed in Formula 1 for three seasons before being purchased by Jaguar, a team that would eventually evolve into the powerhouse now known as Red Bull Racing. Jackie Stewart’s departure from the paddock as a team owner coincided with the beginning of Michael Schumacher’s golden era at Ferrari, a period that saw the German driver set records with the Scuderia that still stand unchallenged today.
Years later, Lewis Hamilton arrived at Ferrari with hopes of writing his own chapter in the team’s illustrious history and perhaps rekindling that Schumacher-era magic. However, Ferrari’s championship drought has been a long one — the last time they lifted a title was in 2008 when they secured the constructors’ championship. That wait will now extend for at least another season, with McLaren and one of their drivers poised to clinch both championships this year.
Despite this, Stewart has offered a prediction about Lewis Hamilton’s future at Ferrari that is sure to encourage the team’s supporters. Speaking to The Times, the three-time champion expressed optimism about Lewis Hamilton’s prospects, saying that he saw no reason why the seven-time world champion could not succeed with the Scuderia. Stewart highlighted that Red Bull’s prolonged dominance has made Formula 1 predictable, and that both the sport and its fans are in need of a shake-up — something Hamilton could help deliver.
Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari has been far from straightforward. He currently sits 175 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri and trails teammate Charles Leclerc by 42 points in the standings. There have, however, been flashes of potential — including a Sprint Race victory in China and a podium finish in the Miami Sprint. At Silverstone, the Monegasque even credited Hamilton as the team’s only real positive from the weekend, despite the Briton narrowly missing out on a full Grand Prix podium to Nico Hülkenberg.
Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur is still working to address the significant performance drop that has plagued the car this year, especially after coming so close to winning the constructors’ title last season. The Tifosi, Ferrari’s devoted fanbase, expect the partnership of Hamilton and Leclerc to be strong enough to bring championship glory, but they will have to wait for next year’s car to see if the team can take full advantage of the upcoming regulation changes.
There is also added pressure on Lewis Hamilton’s shoulders from a commercial standpoint. His arrival has already brought a reported £60.4 million boost to Ferrari’s revenue, a major financial benefit in the cost-cap era. However, analysts have warned that a continuation of lacklustre results could affect the team’s market appeal. Even so, both Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari made it clear that their partnership was never about financial gain — their mutual goal has always been success on track and a return to the very top of Formula 1.
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