Felipe Massa Throws $13 MN Differences Against Lewis Hamilton Aside to Happily Welcome Former Arch-Rival to Ferrari

There’s something special about the allure of driving the iconic red cars in Formula 1. Home to some of the most iconic drivers in the history of the sport, Ferrari is now set to play host to Lewis Hamilton, statistically the most successful driver in the history of F1. This shocking move has been well received even by Hamilton’s old and bitter rival, Felipe Massa, who has been involved in a legal battle worth $13 million with the 7-time world champion regarding the conclusion of the 2008 F1 season when Hamilton claimed his first Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship.

The legal drama between Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton stems from the infamous ‘crashgate’ incident at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. The controversy revolves around the deliberate spin by Nelson Piquet Jr. to aid Fernando Alonso, leading to Massa losing his race lead. Massa, almost 15 years later, believes that his case is distinct from other controversial seasons, with manipulation and sabotage as the main issue. However, in a recent statement, Massa has expressed delight to see Hamilton switching to Ferrari in 2025.

Felipe Massa believes Lewis Hamilton will bring something positive to Ferrari

Massa, who spent 8 years in Formula 1 driving for Ferrari, recently spoke about the impact of Hamilton’s contract with Ferrari. He highlighted the appeal of putting on the legendary Ferrari colors and the prestige associated with the team as crucial factors influencing Hamilton’s decision. Despite their past rivalry and Massa’s ongoing legal case for the 2008 World Championship, he expressed no hard feelings towards the British driver.

Massa sees Hamilton’s arrival as a great move for both commercial and marketing purposes. He went on to urge the team to leverage this opportunity to strengthen itself. “I had always thought that, at some point, he would come to Ferrari and try to conclude his career here. And it’s actually happening. Man, this is cool! It’s interesting to see what this will mean for the entire motorsport world,” Massa told Motorsport.com.

The Brazilian added, “He starts there, if I’m not mistaken, when he’s around forty years old. It will undoubtedly be his final stint in Formula 1. One year, two years, three years… Depending on how long he wants to continue and the results.” Expressing his delight, Massa continued, “If he can bring something to Ferrari, it will always be positive. I’m a Ferrari fan, and I will always support them. I always want the best people at Ferrari. It will be really cool.” (Translated via Google)

READ MORE: F1 News: Charles Leclerc “Disappointed and Shocked by Ferrari’s Decision”

While Massa expects Lewis Hamilton to bring good fortune for Ferrari, he also shares his insights into what this move might mean for Charles Leclerc.

Massa advises Charles Leclerc to embrace the challenge of going up against Hamilton

While acknowledging the impact of Hamilton’s impressive records, Massa also highlighted the need for Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s current team leader, to remain focused on the job he needs to get done. He believes Leclerc should embrace the challenge, using it as motivation to prove himself against a driver of Lewis Hamilton’s stature.

Massa also highlighted that defeating the 7-time world champion could really help Leclerc in the long run. Drawing a parallel with Michael Schumacher’s transition to Mercedes, Massa emphasized that age could play a role in Hamilton’s performance. Briefly addressing the issue of Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes, Massa picked Fernando Alonso as his top pick while also supporting the addition of the young Italian, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, as a potential move.

Watch This Story | Felipe Massa’s Attempt to Take Back the 2008 F1 Championship Explained

Do you think Charles Leclerc will start beating Hamilton right away in 2025? Share your insights down below in the comments.