With Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes contract expiring at the end of the year, former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert has offered his thoughts about the possibility of the seven-time World Champion joining Ferrari, and why a Maranello move is unlikely for the Briton.
Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2013, winning six Drivers’ Championships with the Brackley-based team and breaking numerous records in the process.
But Hamilton failed to win a single race last year, and as his current contract with Mercedes will run out at the end of the season, speculation about the Briton making a move to Ferrari has increased.
Three-time grand prix winner Johnny Herbert, however, doesn’t see Hamilton make the move to the Italian team.
Talking to GiveMeSport, Herbert said: “Could something happen at Ferrari? If there was going to be a replacement, you’d probably say Carlos [Sainz,] just because Charles [Leclerc] has been doing probably the most consistent job over the last couple of years. But is Ferrari the right place to go?”
“We know there’s always been promise, but the promise never quite materialises into the actual final concept that does work.
“Last year they came out of the blocks flying, and then it all seemed to just evaporate and disappear due to various things.,” Herbert continued, referring to the problems with reliability and strategic errors that marked Ferrari’s 2022 campaign.
“That’s what generally makes Mercedes probably more of a good prospect for wins.
“As a driver there’s always the talk about Ferrari being the team that you’ve got to really experience, but I don’t think Lewis is that way. He just wants to be able to win races and be the fastest, and he’s got all that from Mercedes for a very good period of his career.”
