Ferrari president breaks his silence over Lewis Hamilton’s bombshell move to Maranello and reveals why Briton believes he ‘can do great things’ despite the dominance of troubled Red Bull

Ferrari president John Elkann believes Lewis Hamilton’s decision to sign with the Italian brand is a testament to his confidence in the team’s chances of ending Red Bull’s dominance.

The Brit will join the Scuderia next year after 11 seasons at Mercedes as he continues to chase a record eighth world title.

The move came less than a year after Hamilton denied talks with Ferrari over a huge £40 million deal and instead signed a two-year extension with the Silver Arrows worth a combined £100 million.

The 39-year-old had previously expressed his desire to remain at Mercedes for the rest of his career, where he has won six of his seven world championships.

But Ferrari stepped up their efforts to lure him to Maranello after Hamilton expressed frustration at Mercedes’ underperformance in recent seasons.

The Brit will join forces with Charles Leclerc (left) at the Italian brand

Ferrari chairman John Elkann is hopeful that Hamilton’s arrival can deliver a first title in 16 years

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Elkann has long been an admirer of the Briton and was instrumental in getting the deal over the line by speaking to Hamilton personally.

“I have always said over the years how much Lewis is a great driver, how much he has done for Formula 1,” said the Ferrari boss. Air sports in Italy.

“He joins Ferrari and this is a sign of how much he believes he can do great things with us.”

Hamilton is statistically the best driver the sport has ever seen and tops Formula 1’s all-time rankings in terms of race wins and pole positions.

His seven world titles are matched only by Michael Schumacher, who won five consecutive titles with Ferrari.

But over the past two years, Red Bull’s stranglehold on Formula 1 has been such that Hamilton has not finished on the podium since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Ferrari have not won the drivers’ championship since 2007 and their last constructors’ crown came the following year, incidentally when Hamilton pipped Felipe Massa to the title in the final corner of the final race of the season in Brazil.

But Elkann suggested a power shift in Formula 1 could be on the way as new regulations come into effect in 2026.

“By 2026, one cycle will close, and then another will open,” the Ferrari president said.

“The most important thing will be to always be competitive and keep feeding this spirit.”

Max Verstappen has claimed pole and won the first two races of the season, with teammate Sergio Perez finishing second both times.

Ferrari has finished third twice, with Carlos Sainz third in Bahrain and Charles Leclerc in Saudi Arabia, results that Elkann believes bode well for the rest of the season.

“If we look at where we were a year ago, we’re off to a better start,” he said.

‘The most important thing is to improve and make progress. This is the dynamic that exists at Ferrari and it should be praised and supported.

‘There is a desire to make sure we get the Ferrari to do the best it can and that was palpable today. This, I mean, from everyone.”

Hamilton was full of praise for Oliver Bearman (right) after the Saudi Arabia GP.

Bearman finished seventh on his Formula 1 debut in Jeddah, ahead of Hamilton

With Sainz dropped out of the Saudi GP due to appendicitis, Ferrari brought in Oliver Bearman as a last-minute replacement.

The 18-year-old Briton finished seventh on his racing debut after qualifying 11th and was hailed as a ‘future star’ by Hamilton, who warmly embraced him at the end of the race.

“If you think he can stay ahead of (Bearman) Hamilton and Lando Norris on his debut, I think Oliver will remember that for the rest of his life,” Elkann said.

“The hug Lewis wanted to give him shows what a great champion he is, both on and off the track.”