Lewis Hamilton wearing his red Ferrari racing overalls for the 2025 F1 season (Image: Scuderia Ferrari)
Sir Jackie Stewart has warned against underestimating Lewis Hamilton and in the 2025 Formula 1 championship chase.
The motorsport world is abuzz with excitement following Hamilton’s switch from to fulfil his boyhood aspiration of racing for , a move that has sparked unprecedented interest.
Images of the British racer donned in the iconic red of have quickly become emblematic, signalling a marketing triumph for the Italian team, which is already capitalising on the commercial benefits.
However, Hamilton’s transfer isn’t just about branding; he’s convinced that joining enhances his chances of clinching an eighth title before hanging up his helmet.
Former British Formula One racing driver Jackie Stewart walks in the paddock ahead of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix night race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore on September 22, 2024. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images) (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Whether the 40 year old will accomplish this goal is yet to be determined. Reflecting on the significance of Hamilton’s decision, F1 icon Sir Jackie Stewart spoke to Sky Sports, refusing to dismiss the prospects of the seven-time world champion at .
Sir Jackie remarked: “He’s more experienced than he was last year and the years before that, he knows the business very well. is the biggest name in the world. If you went to a Maasai warrior in the middle of Africa and said, ‘Do you know anything about ? ‘ They would know the name .”
Stewart also shared his thoughts on Hamilton’s potential move to , saying: “For Lewis, I was surprised he was going there. Going to is very colourful, very exciting and usually very successful. I wouldn’t count them out, to put it that way.”
However, Hamilton is unlikely to give significant weight to Stewart’s opinions, particularly after their past disagreement. In 2022, Stewart suggested that Hamilton should retire to “protect his legacy,” prompting Hamilton to question why “old voices” like Stewart were still being given a platform.
At that year’s British Grand Prix, Hamilton said: “In the last couple of weeks, I don’t think a day has gone by when someone who has not been relevant in our sport for decades has not been saying negative things and trying to bring me down… We should not be giving these people a platform.
“I’ve always tried to be respectful to these individuals but why did we give these guys a platform?”
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