Lewis Hamilton says the “magic” he has experienced at Ferrari since joining the Italian team has left him more hopeful than ever of winning a record eighth Formula 1 world championship.
Hamilton stunned the sporting world last February by announcing he would end a 12-year stint with Mercedes to join Formula 1’s most iconic team and is now just weeks away from making his competitive debut at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports from March 14-16.
The 40-year-old Briton was controversially denied an eighth drivers’ title – that would take him clear of joint record-holder Michael Schumacher – by Max Verstappen in 2021 and has not since been provided with a car capable of contending for the title.
Asked on Wednesday after Ferrari ran their new SF-25 on track for the first time whether he is more hopeful than ever of claiming an eighth title, Hamilton replied: “Yes. But I’m also aware there’s a lot of drivers that never ever get to win a world championship, first and foremost.
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Ferrari reveal striking red for their SF-25 Ferrari F1 car as Hamilton says he feels ‘invigorated’ for his first season with a new team
“I’ve been fortunate to work in two teams previously, work with great organisations, and you’ve seen in the history of the sport where you’ve got great teams and things don’t align and they end up, some of them, not winning the world championships.
“But this team already has an insane legacy and they’re not short of how many world championships they’ve won. So, I think in their DNA, they have that winning mentality.
“The competition is fierce and we’ve had great results from other iconic teams, like McLaren and Red Bull and obviously, Mercedes.
“It’s going to be close up the top. But I’ve got a great team-mate. The energy that I’m receiving from the team, there’s magic here.
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Speaking from the F1 75 red carpet, former F1 drivers Nigel Mansell and Jean Alesi share their support for Hamilton and look ahead to the new season
“It’s going to still take a lot of hard work and grafting from absolutely everyone. And everyone’s putting that in already to achieve it.
“But it’s also about belief. Everyone here dreams of winning with Ferrari, every single person in this team.”
More to follow…
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