Portuguese football manager José Mourinho was among the special guests in the Formula 1 paddock at Silverstone for the 2025 British Grand Prix. Known as “The Special One,” Mourinho was interviewed on-site and shared his thoughts on the upcoming race weekend, his views on Scuderia Ferrari, and also commented on the new Inter Milan led by Cristian Chivu, one of his former players. Additionally, Mourinho paid tribute to his late compatriot Diogo Jota, who recently passed away.
José Mourinho on Ferrari and the Formula 1 pressure
Speaking about the race weekend, José Mourinho said: “Tomorrow is the last day of my holiday, so unfortunately I will miss the Grand Prix. My friend Stefano Domenicali isn’t too happy about it, but I’ll be flying back to Istanbul as the season is about to begin.”
Reflecting on similarities between football and Formula 1, he continued: “I try to understand them by talking with many friends I have in this sport. The pressure, for sure, is something both worlds have in common.”
When asked about Ferrari, José Mourinho offered high praise: “Ferrari is the Real Madrid of Formula 1—there’s no other way to describe it. The only way to handle pressure in a team like that is by winning. And when you don’t win, you need the strength to endure, to keep going, even when fans and owners don’t give you the time you need. Drivers, like football players, must believe in themselves.”
He then added: “Having better drivers than Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton is incredibly difficult. When you race for Ferrari, just stepping on the track already feels like a victory. But the race itself still lasts two hours. Wearing this shade of red is a dream—but it’s also the ultimate responsibility. Lewis is racing at home here, and historically, he’s always managed to finish on the podium. Nobody expected him to win last time—but he did. And maybe Silverstone could be the right place for him to win again, this time with Ferrari.”
Mourinho pays tribute to Diogo Jota
The former Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan coach also took a moment to speak about the tragic loss of Diogo Jota, a fellow Portuguese national. “When someone passes away, we always say they were a good person. But in his case, it’s true—he really was. We had the same agent, and I know everyone adored him. He never wanted the spotlight or to be the center of attention, despite all he had achieved.”
José Mourinho continued, visibly moved: “Now his three children will have to grow up without a father. His wife loved him deeply for so many years, and his parents—who had already lost another child—are now grieving both. Maybe someday we’ll understand why these things happen. But right now, there is no explanation.”
“Chivu is one of my children,” says José Mourinho
On the subject of Italy and its football, Mourinho remarked: “The only reason I might be missed in Italy is probably because no one has managed to win the UEFA Champions League with an Italian club since I did. Sadly, it’s true.”
Finally, Mourinho gave his thoughts on Cristian Chivu, the former Inter defender now taking over the managerial reins at the Nerazzurri. “He is one of my boys. He didn’t learn from me, he learned from his own immense experience. But being a great player is one thing—becoming a great coach is something else entirely. I hope he makes that transition successfully. He’s a man with courage and character.”
But then, in classic Mourinho style, he added a playful jab: “I wish him all the success in the world—he can win the Champions League, the Scudetto, anything he wants. But not the Treble. That one, I want to keep just for myself, as something only I achieved with Inter.”
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