Lewis Hamilton is coming

Elkann: “Not with us to enjoy retirement”

John Elkann (r.) is optimistic about the coming season with Lewis Hamilton (l.).(Bild: AFP/Marton Monus/Pool Photo via AP, APA/Nelson ALMEIDA/Giuseppe CACACE, Photoshop, )

Ferrari boss John Elkann expects his future Formula 1 star driver Lewis Hamilton to be a huge boost for the racing team. "He is coming to us to win and we will be stronger with him when it comes to anticipating the challenges of the future," Elkann told the "Gazzetta dello Sport". 

Hamilton is "very motivated" to win his eighth world championship title. "He is certainly not coming to Ferrari to enjoy retirement."

Long wait for world championship title
Ferrari announced Hamilton's sensational move in February. The 39-year-old Briton is leaving Mercedes at the end of the season and has a long-term contract with the traditional Italian racing team from 2025. Ferrari was last crowned drivers' champion by Kimi Räikkönen in 2007 and won the last constructors' championship in 2008.

Lewis Hamilton is still competing for Mercedes.(Bild: AFP/Attila KISBENEDEK)

You only have to look at "the greats of the last decade", said Elkann. "(Novak) Djokovic, (Roger) Federer, (Lewis) Hamilton, (Cristiano) Ronaldo, (Lionel) Messi, what do they have in common? Longevity." They were characterized by their enormous willpower.