Christian Horner believes Lewis Hamilton will once again be “a challenger” as he makes the switch to Ferrari for the 2025 F1 season.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, alongside Charles Leclerc, surprised the sports world as he announced his decision ahead of this season.
This shift marks the end of Hamilton’s long association with Mercedes, where he spent his entire F1 career with the works team or McLaren, which used Mercedes engines.
Although Hamilton secured two wins this season, 2024 has been challenging for him at Mercedes. George Russell has generally held the edge in qualifying, with both drivers more evenly matched in races.
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix was particularly tough for Hamilton, as he struggled in wet conditions. A 10th-place finish and a cryptic post-race radio message even sparked rumors of an early break to prepare for Ferrari, which Mercedes quickly dismissed.
Speaking with Talksport, Horner reflected on Hamilton’s big move.
“He’s leaving a very comfortable environment he’s known for over a decade. So, this will be a big change for him,” Horner commented.
“Charles Leclerc is a fast driver, and Ferrari seems to be gaining momentum. With Lewis’ talent, he’ll always be a threat.”
Horner added, “This may be perfect timing for him. He clearly sees something in Ferrari’s future that convinced him to switch teams, so it’ll be fascinating to see how it unfolds.”
