Juan Pablo Montoya senses a Lewis Hamilton title problem with Ferrari, however for such success to occur, urges Ferrari to “construct a automobile round” the seven-time World Champion.
Hamilton has achieved record-breaking success as a Mercedes driver, successful six of his record-equalling seven World titles with the Silver Arrows since becoming a member of in 2013. However, he has solely six race weekends remaining as a Mercedes driver earlier than heading off to Ferrari.
Hamilton’s blockbuster Ferrari transfer was introduced forward of the F1 2024 marketing campaign, because the Brit appears to be like to return to the title image as he continues to chase that document eighth crown.
And Montoya believes Hamilton can develop into a title-challenging power at Ferrari.
“I believe we’ll see the Lewis of outdated,” Montoya predicted to Playing Zone.
“He’s going to be out with a revenge to show all people incorrect and present all people they had been incorrect about him.
“I believe if every little thing strains up, I believe Lewis generally is a large risk for a championship.”
Ferrari has not tasted title success since their 2008 Constructors’ Championship triumph, whereas Kimi Raikkonen was their final Drivers’ Champion in 2007. However, in the event that they wish to finish the drought with Hamilton, then Montoya says Hamilton have to be the one driving growth of the automobile.
Hamilton could have Charles Leclerc as his team-mate, Leclerc a graduate of the Ferrari Driver Academy who has raced for the Scuderia since 2019.
“If Ferrari actually desires to succeed, they actually need to hearken to what Lewis wants and construct a automobile round him that Lewis desires,” stated Montoya.
And in a constructive be aware for Hamilton, Leclerc has expressed his perception that an F1 2025 title problem is feasible for Ferrari, with higher to come back from F1 2026 and past when the brand new chassis and energy unit laws arrive.
“Sure. It’s. That would be the headline!” Leclerc replied when requested by The Race and ESPN whether it is life like for Ferrari to problem for the F1 2025 title.
“Clearly it’s a fixed course of that retains evolving and the objective is to at all times make it higher.
“So I’d say that ’25 will probably be good, ’26 will probably be higher and ’27 will probably be even higher and we optimise every little thing. Nevertheless it’s all relative.
“There’s not one group that’s getting worse from one yr to the opposite. It’s how a lot of a step ahead the others have finished.
“However on our facet I’ve zero doubts that we’ll make a step ahead subsequent yr and one other one the yr after.”
Hamilton will exchange Carlos Sainz at Ferrari, Sainz having since agreed a multi-year take care of Williams.