John Elkann Officially Inducts Lewis Hamilton Into Ferrari With an ‘Ambitious’ Letter

After the 1st race of 2024, Red Bull legend David Coulthard claimed that Lewis Hamilton is “mentally” already at Ferrari. Coulthard reckoned that the 7-time champion was on the “backfoot” because he was already envisioning the 2025 season in Red. Though the Briton denied this claim, his car is forcing 2024 to be another write-off. At such a junction, Ferrari chairman John Elkann has officially stamped Hamilton’s presence to the Scuderia.

Elkann is one of the main persons responsible for convincing Lewis Hamilton to jump ship from a team that gave him 6 Drivers’ championships. The Italian reportedly lured him in by offering a deal of over $400 Mn and a promise to expand his empire. Along with that, Ferrari’s performance too is progressing by leaps and miles. The team is firing on all cylinders and the signs are positive.

Emphasizing the same, in an official letter to Exor Shareholders (the company that owns Scuderia Ferrari), John Elkann wrote (as quoted by Formulapassion): “2024 will be a year we accelerate our goal of building great companies through the right alignment of ownership, governance, and leadership. Scuderia Ferrari is providing a good example of such progress, having started the new F1 season with several podium finishes.”

He then used Lewis Hamilton’s quote to emphasize the vision of the team. “With success, it is important to keep in mind the words of Lewis Hamilton (who will join the Scuderia next season): ‘In racing, there are always things to learn, every single day. There’s always room for improvement, and I think that goes for everything in life.’ His words recall one of Exor’s pairs of values: Ambition and Humility. ”

Elkann’s words paint a positive picture of what is to come at Ferrari. With a 7-time champion soon to take over the reigns, their dry run in F1 could come to an end. But a former F1 driver isn’t convinced by the logic of the Maranello outfit’s move of signing Hamilton.

Thierry Boutsen crushes Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of an 8th championship with Ferrari

There is seemingly only 1 reason why Lewis Hamilton has agreed to drive for Frederic Vasseur & Co. That is to win the record-breaking 8th championship. But as we’ve seen, without a Red Bull-like car, drivers can do only so much. Former Williams driver Thierry Boutsen refutes any claims that say Hamilton will be instrumental in turning Ferrari’s F1 campaign around.

“I think a driver cannot bring a team to the top,” Boutsen told Planetf1. “Drivers are no longer involved in the development of the car, it’s more the computers and the engineers that build the car. But, (for Lewis) to be the driver to bring Ferrari to this level, I don’t see that.”

With Charles Leclerc by his side, Hamilton will have a task on his hands to adapt to new team dynamics. Nonetheless, the team’s fate will be decided based on how their challenger upgrades. But one thing is for sure, a new chapter in Ferrari’s F1 history awaits them.

Read More: Charles Leclerc Will Need to ‘Suck Up’ Lewis Hamilton Being Ferrari’s “Number 1”: Will Buxton