Juan Pablo Montoya fires up Ferrari fans: “Not even Verstappen can beat Hamilton…”. Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya is confident and praises Ferrari’s new driver.

The anticipation for the start of the new Formula 1 season, scheduled for March 16 with the Australian Grand Prix, is huge. Everyone expects one of the most competitive seasons in recent years. A season full of changes, with a complete generational shift and, most awaited of all, Lewis Hamilton at the wheel of Ferrari, aiming to challenge Max Verstappen’s dominance. Between the two, who could come out on top? Montoya has the answer.

On paper, four teams will be competing for the 2025 world title: Ferrari, with what many consider the best driver lineup, McLaren, coming off a championship-winning season, Red Bull with Max Verstappen, and Mercedes, relying on George Russell’s consistency. The Dutch driver’s top position will be under threat.

But what has been widely discussed throughout the 2024 season, and will remain a major topic at least during the early races of 2025, is Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari. The pairing is a perfect match: one of the most successful drivers, who has rewritten the record books, and the most renowned team in the paddock.

Public opinion on this move is deeply divided. On one side, critics of team principal Frederic Vasseur’s decision to replace Carlos Sainz, and on the other, those convinced that the British driver will deliver strong performances.

Among the latter is former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya. In an interview with Crash.net, the Colombian had high praise for Hamilton, rallying millions of Ferrari fans worldwide. “The same thing will happen to Lewis Hamilton that happened with Fernando Alonso.”

“They still have 100% of their speed but can only qualify within the top ten. If Hamilton has a fast car during the season, I’m sure he would be much higher up. If Ferrari builds a quick car, we’ll see the old Hamilton, the one from a few years ago, the one that not even Verstappen could beat.”

“The real question for Ferrari is: how do they keep him motivated?” – the former Formula 1 driver concluded. Only time will give us the answers we are eagerly awaiting. All questions, therefore, will be answered after the first Grand Prix of the year.