Lewis Hamilton’s signing for Ferrari has caught the attention of Formula 1 because fans “care”, unlike what’s happening with Max Verstappen, who could leave the sport and “no one” would care.
That is the view of 1997 F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, who believes Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is the “most notable” since Michael Schumacher joined the Scuderia.
Jacques Villeneuve: ‘Nobody cares’ Max VerstappenHamilton is officially a Ferrari driver, the seven-time world champion joining the Italian team ahead of his 19th season on the grid in a bid to win his elusive eighth world title.
Next week he will test a Ferrari F1 car for the first time, when he tests an F1-75 at the team’s private track at Fiorano, and Italian journalist Roberto Chinchero predicts that tifosi will “fill” the streets to get a glimpse of the new Signature Ferrari.
“I’m not surprised,” he said on the James Allen on F1 podcast. “All the national media, not just the sports media, are giving a lot of space to the man Lewis Hamilton.”
Villeneuve is not surprised by the interest in Italy and around the world, given that Hamilton stands out from all the other drivers, even the four-time F1 world champion Verstappen, who “nobody” cares about.
“Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is the most high-profile change in F1 since Michael Schumacher left Benetton for Ferrari,” he told Action Network. “Regardless of the race results, Lewis Hamilton is the greatest driver of all time because of all his fans.
“It’s very different. It’s unique. He broke the mould. A lot of things depend on him. He has the biggest image. His image goes beyond F1. And there aren’t many drivers like that.
“Get Verstappen out of F1. Nobody cares. Get Hamilton out of F1, people care.
“Yes, it’s the most important signing. And Ferrari is also one of the most important brands in the world, if not the most important. So if you put the two things together, yes, of course, it’s incredible.
One person who disagrees is Alpine CEO Flavio Briatore, who recently questioned the “sense” of Ferrari’s decision to let Carlos Sainz leave to sign Hamilton.
“It’s very short-sighted of Briatore to suggest that he doesn’t see the logic in signing Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari,” Villeneuve said. “You only have to look at the value of Ferrari at the time they signed him.”
“You can’t just look at Ferrari as a racing team. It’s an industry. Yes, they’re there to win, but winning helps them sell more cars and adds value to Ferrari.”
“That’s business and signing Lewis was worth millions and millions, so it was the best decision they ever made.”
But is it a move that could see Ferrari win their first drivers’ title since Kimi Raikkonen’s success in 2007?
“Lewis could have a chance,” Villeneuve insisted. “It ended on a good note. “It will be an interesting battle between Lewis and Leclerc.”
“You see what’s been said in the media at the moment, Ferrari are really putting pressure on Lewis at the moment. There’s a bigger picture coming together. Or they’re pushing him and it’s incredible. And if they’re not, it’s going to boost Leclerc. So it’s basically a win-win for Ferrari at the moment.”
Hamilton has joined Ferrari on a multi-year deal, which could run until the end of the 2027 season. Although the Briton turned 40 in January, Villeneuve believes he still has a few years left depending on his results.
“It depends on whether Lewis Hamilton has the same hunger as Fernando Alonso. He still wants a championship, and he wants it with Ferrari. So that should be enough to make you hungry.
“But if things get tough, will he just think I’ll be [a] fighter and warrior like Alonso or will he think it’s time to do something else with my life?
“But physically, there is no problem. He is super fit, he is super strong, he can last another 10 years, no problem there. But it is all in the head and in your desire.
“It’s always like that with sports. Age is not the issue. It’s how much (mentally) you’re willing to give it your all, do all the training you need, go to bed, wake up in the morning and just think about it and focus. At some point in your life, it might lose its importance or its priority. And that’s when you break down. Not because there’s a direct physical effect.
“It’s exhausting, but at the same time, it’s what keeps you alive. It’s what motivates you. And when you stop running, you realize after two months, you realize it’s boring.
“You need that lifestyle. You need that adrenaline rush that keeps you going. If you’re passionate about it, if it’s something you really love, it’s a drug. For example, Nico Rosberg was happier without competition. “It’s not the same level of passion.”
