In an interview with “L’Équipe”, four-time F1 world champion Alain Prost discusses Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari.
The magic of Formula 1 lies in its ability to constantly reinvent itself. This season, Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is further proof of this. For now – as the battle for the title, if it does not involve Lewis, will eventually take precedence – the focus is on this transfer. Even among those who are not passionate about our sport, this union between two legends fascinates, captivates, and monopolizes all conversations.
Formula 1 is elevated by this union. Both the driver and the team benefit as well. The stage is set for a wild season with Hamilton’s debut in red. The question is what will come of it, but it feels like everything is in place for the champion not to be overshadowed. It was a deliberate, thoughtful decision that led Lewis to Maranello. He seemed worn out from his years at Mercedes; he needed a fresh start, to reinvent himself. He’s back like a rookie, discovering a different way of working.
Imagine an Englishman who has spent over thirty years racing in an English environment, surrounded by Brits. The shock of arriving in Italy, where the way of working is different, is enormous. I discovered this when, after so many years at McLaren, I arrived at Ferrari, where I was nicknamed “the Tadpole” to say that I was a very English “froggy”.
For Hamilton, it’s already clear that the shock is cushioned thanks to Fred (Vasseur). They have known each other for a long time and he knows how to communicate with his driver. Now, if the car is good and the driver is acclimated, there is one last step for this arrival to be fully successful: he will have to beat his teammate to claim his eighth title.
But I don’t think that’s essential in Lewis’s mind today. He wants to fight for Ferrari and all the better if he wins. But he has this advantage of saying, if he is not the champion himself, that he has helped Scuderia win. At 40, it’s another challenge. I must confess that Jean Todt, when I was a similar age, had offered me to come back to assist Michael Schumacher. A proposal that I declined but which could appeal to Lewis.
In any case, he will come out a winner: either he becomes champion again, or he helps Charles Leclerc and Ferrari to become so. Provided, of course, that the opponents do not prevent them. But that, we will discuss later. For now, we want to know if the Ferrari is good and if Hamilton is too. That’s all that matters…
