Former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger said Lewis Hamilton had “two problems” at Mercedes last season and will “have to grit his teeth” to make the most of his move to Maranello.

Berger won five races as a Ferrari driver, spending six seasons with the Scuderia over two stints, and believes the seven-time world champion faces a “very tight race” against current team-mate Charles Leclerc.

Lewis Hamilton “needs new motivation” at Ferrari after “two problems” at Mercedes

Hamilton joins Ferrari after winning six of his drivers’ championships with Mercedes in 12 years, and Berger explained the “two problems” he faced at the Silver Arrows in recent times, namely that the car was not allowing him to win races regularly, and that his long spell at the same team meant the Austrian believed a change of team would be beneficial.

Once the switch has been made official and his first tests have been carried out, Hamilton heads to Ferrari with the aim of winning a record-breaking eighth World Championship.

Although he believes Ferrari will be in the fight, Berger is unsure whether it will be Hamilton or Leclerc who will be ahead in the drivers’ fight at this stage.

“I think Hamilton needs a new motivation,” Berger told German publication Auto Motor und Sport.

“He has had two problems: the Mercedes has only been a winning car on exceptional occasions, and he is now with the same team for so long that only a change of scenery will help him.

“Finishing fifth is not a result that motivates Hamilton. He will have to grit his teeth again at Ferrari and he could well be at his best once again. On the other hand, I think he will struggle against Leclerc’s speed. It will be a very close race.”

Asked if Hamilton could win a record eighth title as a Ferrari driver, Berger added: “Yes. If Hamilton could become World Champion in a Ferrari, it would be the best thing that has ever happened in Formula 1 in terms of marketing.

“I would put my money on Ferrari this season. I can’t say whether Hamilton or Leclerc will win the World Drivers’ or Constructors’ Championship, but they will win a title. That’s my personal impression.

“Ferrari was almost always fast last year, with a few mistakes. I trust Fred Vasseur can get this volatility out of the system. It took them a while, but I think they are very close.

“They are well positioned in terms of engine and chassis and they have top-level drivers. Vasseur makes a good impression. He is calm, thoughtful, always attentive and delivers.

“That has been the case in all the motorsport seasons he has been in so far. It was a good decision by Ferrari to sign him. And it was clear that his work would take one or two years to bear fruit.

“I have the feeling now that it is starting to work. I also think it is great that he has signed Hamilton. Vasseur will bring Ferrari back to the top.”