Red Bull Dutch driver Max Verstappen expects Lewis Hamilton to be “determined to prove why he’s a seven-time World Champion” as he prepares for his debut season with Scuderia Ferrari in the upcoming F1 championship.
Lewis Hamilton’s move marks the end of an era with Mercedes, where he built a legacy that included countless victories and titles. Now, the Briton is set to rekindle his rivalry with Max Verstappen while navigating a fresh challenge at the Scuderia. His final year with Mercedes saw a mix of highs and lows, including two long-awaited victories that bookended a season marred by inconsistent performances. Persistent struggles with the unpredictable W15 in qualifying left Lewis Hamilton trailing George Russell 18-5 in their head-to-head battles, leading to introspection about his own performance.
Despite this, the Dutchman believes Lewis Hamilton’s uneven year stemmed from his focus shifting to the opportunities awaiting him beyond that campaign.
In a recent interview for British online newspaper The Independent, Max Verstappen suggested that Lewis Hamilton faced challenges staying fully motivated during the 2024 Formula 1 season, knowing he was leaving Mercedes. The Red Bull man noted that the British driver appeared to elevate his performance whenever the car was competitive and winning was possible, but in races where the car struggled, he seemed less engaged.
Max Verstappen dismisses claims of age affecting Lewis Hamilton’s performance
Some have speculated that Lewis Hamilton’s challenges in consistently delivering strong single-lap performances might be linked to the inevitable effects of age, with the driver now in his 40s. However, Max Verstappen has rejected the notion that Lewis Hamilton’s age will hinder his pursuit of a historic eighth Drivers’ Championship during his upcoming tenure with Ferrari.
The current Formula 1 champion expressed confidence that Lewis Hamilton would never lose his edge, emphasizing the incredible achievements he has already secured. He noted that the British driver’s new challenge in the 2025 Formula 1 campaign would likely fuel his motivation to prove himself as a seven-time World Champion.
Lewis Hamilton’s future triumphs hinge on Ferrari’s performance
Since their thrilling championship battle in the 2021 F1 season, the two F1 legends have rarely faced off directly on track, largely due to Mercedes‘ struggles with the current generation of ground-effect cars.
Given this, the Dutchman has pointed out that Lewis Hamilton’s final chapter in Formula 1, now with the Maranello team, will largely depend on whether the Scuderia can deliver a car capable of competing at the front of the grid.
The Red Bull driver therefore concluded that Lewis Hamilton’s success, much like that of his Maranello teammet Charles Leclerc, would ultimately depend on the quality of the equipment at his disposal.
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