Christian Horner has no doubts: Lewis Hamilton has chosen the perfect moment to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari. The Red Bull team principal commented on the imminent arrival of the seven-time world champion in Maranello, underlining how the Briton has seized the opportunity just as the Scuderia is going through an important growth phase.
Ferrari's season started with many difficulties, with ups and downs and technical uncertainties, but from the second half of the year the situation changed radically. Contrary to the past, when the team tended to lose momentum after the summer break, the SF-24 has shown a positive evolution, taking three wins in the last six races. A progression that has reopened the fight for the constructors' championship and gives hope for 2025, the last year of the current regulations and the first for the Hamilton-Ferrari duo.
Hamilton's perfect timing
According to Horner, Hamilton's decision to change teams is not only a choice of the heart, but also a well-considered strategy. “It is clear that Lewis saw something promising in Ferrari,” Horner said at TalkSPORT. “He chose the right moment to change, focusing on a team that finally seems to have found its way. Ferrari have made significant steps forward, and with a driver of Hamilton’s calibre behind the wheel, they could be a serious threat to the title."
A Ferrari in evolution
Ferrari has undergone a clear transformation this season. At the start of the year, the Maranello team was relegated to the role of fourth force, far from the top teams. But Thanks to a series of internal developments and changes, the SF-24 began to show its true potential. The team took a different approach, exploring new development directions that led to tangible results.
A 2025 full of expectations
With Hamilton at the helm and a Ferrari on the rise, 2025 promises to be one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory. The combination of an experienced driver like Hamilton and a Scuderia that has finally regained confidence and competitiveness could be the right mix to aim for the title. Horner does not hide a certain concern for this new pairing: “It will be fascinating to see how he adapts to Ferrari. Charles Leclerc is a very fast competitor and the team is in good shape, so it will be a dangerous combination.”
The challenge between Hamilton and Verstappen
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari could reignite his historic rivalry with Max Verstappen, this time with a competitive Ferrari at his side. While Red Bull with Max Verstappen continues to dominate the drivers' championship, the arrival of Hamilton in a reborn Ferrari represents an unpredictable variable. “A driver like Hamilton will always be a title contender,” Horner concluded. “And if Ferrari continues on this path, it will be an incredible challenge for us.”
