Helmut Marko sees Lewis Hamilton’s astonishing transfer to Ferrari for 2025 as having no influence on Crimson Bull however the Austrian reckons it’s going to weaken Mercedes.
Hamilton’s switch to Maranello, dubbed the most important driver change in F1 historical past, will mark the tip of a 12-year reign at Mercedes for the Briton, a prolific interval that yielded 82 wins and 6 world titles.
Nonetheless, the previous two seasons have painted a unique image for the 39-year-old legend. Mercedes’ engineering misstep below F1’s new floor impact rules positioned the previous championship successful staff squarely on the again foot.
In 44 races, Mercedes claimed however a single win, courtesy of George Russell’s efforts in Brazil in 2022.
With the twilight of his profession on the horizon, 2025 turns into Hamilton’s final shot at reaching the seemingly not possible: bringing the F1 title again to the Home of Maranello and securing a document eighth Drivers’ championship.
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The information two weeks in the past of Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari set F1 alight and astonished many, together with Marko.
“That took me fully without warning, particularly the timing,” he informed Austria’s OE24.”You surprise the way it might have occurred.
“Mercedes was overtaken by Ferrari within the second half of the 2023 season and McLaren was additionally sooner. Maybe Hamilton has realized one thing that the skin world doesn’t but know.”
Whereas Hamilton’s switch is a veritable coup for Ferrari, Marko reckons the sensational transfer could have no bearing on Crimson Bull. Nevertheless it’s setback for Mercedes based on the 80-year-old.
“It would not change something for us, however I do see it as a weakening for Mercedes,” mentioned Marko. “And whether or not it makes Ferrari stronger stays to be seen.
“General, it has an unimaginable impact, proper all the way down to the share costs. It is nice that one thing is occurring.”
Marko notes that Hamilton’s interplay this season with Mercedes on race weekends is more likely to be very totally different than prior to now.
“Usually in such a scenario you already suppose extra in regards to the new staff,” he defined. “The present staff [Mercedes] can now not contain him in main improvements to the automobile, due to course he would take it with him [to Ferrari].
“For the game it is nice, higher than Netflix!”
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