When Lewis Hamilton announced he was joining Ferrari, the motorsport world collectively lost its mind. The most successful driver of the modern era, one of the men who’s spent the last decade and a half tormenting the Prancing Horse, was now donning the scarlet red. It’s like Messi signing for Real Madrid or Tom Brady joining the Jets—it just doesn’t compute. But here we are. Lewis Hamilton, at 40 years old, is set to drive for Ferrari in 2025.

And while the excitement is palpable, there’s been a murmur of doubt. Is Hamilton past his prime? Can he still compete at the highest level? Piero Ferrari, son of the legendary Enzo, has a few things to say about that.

Lewis Hamilton’s struggles and Piero’s take on the age debate

Let’s not sugarcoat it—Hamilton’s recent seasons haven’t been his finest. Since that heart-wrenching loss to Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi 2021, the seven-time world champion has been in a bit of a slump. Over the past three years, he’s been outscored by his younger Mercedes teammate, George Russell, twice. In 2024, despite picking up his first wins in three years, Russell comfortably outperformed Hamilton, leading to whispers that age might finally be catching up with the British legend.

Even F1 pundits like Martin Brundle have questioned whether Hamilton’s best days are behind him. Fans, too, have been vocal, with some suggesting that Ferrari might be signing a fading star rather than a championship contender. But Piero Ferrari isn’t having any of it. In an exclusive interview with Italian news outlet Autosprint, the 78-year-old vice chairman of Ferrari dismissed the age concerns outright. “True, he is 40 years old,” Piero said, “but he is fit, both physically and mentally. It doesn’t seem to me that age is a problem. He accepted the challenge with enormous enthusiasm, so he is confident in his abilities.”

Ferrari’s words carry weight. After all, this is a man who’s been around F1 since the days of his father, Enzo. He’s seen champions rise and fall, and he’s not one to mince words. If he believes Hamilton still has what it takes, it’s hard to argue. Besides, Hamilton proved his age wasn’t a point of weakness. During the 2024 season, he racked up a couple of wins, coming back from a major drought that lasted from the Saudi Arabia GP in 2021 till Hamilton broke it at Silverstone last year.

Piero’s confidence in Hamilton isn’t just based on stats or lap times—it’s personal. The two have shared a bond for over a decade, dating back to 2014 when Hamilton first visited Maranello to customize his LaFerrari. “He spent quite a bit of time at the factory studying how to personalize it,” Piero recalled. “Then in the evening, he came to say goodbye, and I asked him if he wanted to stay for dinner with me. He was enthusiastic, and we talked about cars—but not only that. I discovered a truly pleasant person, out of the ordinary.” That dinner at the Cavallino restaurant, with Hamilton’s dog in tow, was the start of a relationship that’s endured ever since. Over the years, Hamilton returned to Maranello several times, often discussing commercial matters but always leaving an impression.

With Hamilton now in Italy, it’s time to take a look at Hamilton’s initial time with the team.

Piero Ferrari’s bond with Hamilton

Hamilton’s first days at Ferrari were nothing short of cinematic. Dressed in a sharp suit and overcoat, he stood outside Enzo Ferrari’s old office, next to a gleaming Ferrari F40, for his first official photos as a Ferrari driver. After all, it’s a Ferrari tradition. Some of their most iconic drivers posed in front of the same iconic red door. Hamilton was only emulating the spirit that Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel once carried. “There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever,” Hamilton wrote on Instagram. “Today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days.”

But it wasn’t all glamour. Hamilton quickly got down to business, starting with a seat fitting and simulator work. His first taste of a Ferrari F1 car came at the team’s private test track in Fiorano, where he completed 30 exploratory laps. It was a moment of pure emotion for Hamilton, who described it as “one of the best feelings of my life.” However, his second day of testing at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya didn’t go as smoothly. Hamilton crashed the 2023-spec Ferrari, bringing out the red flags. Thankfully, he walked away unscathed, and the team wasn’t overly concerned.  

Despite the hiccup, Hamilton’s enthusiasm hasn’t waned. He’s set to get more mileage in a 2024-spec Ferrari during a Pirelli tyre test at Barcelona next week, followed by a shakedown of the 2025 car at Fiorano in February. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur isn’t worried. “He’s coming with experience of this,” Vasseur said. “He did almost 20 seasons in F1—and he will manage perfectly this period.”

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is more than just a driver transfer—it’s a cultural moment. For years, Hamilton has been the face of Mercedes, the rival Ferrari loves to hate. Now, he’s one of them. And while some may question whether he’s still got it, Piero Ferrari isn’t among them. The road ahead won’t be easy. Hamilton will need to adapt to a new car, a new team, and a new teammate in Charles Leclerc. But if anyone can rise to the challenge, it’s Lewis Hamilton. And with Piero Ferrari in his corner, don’t bet against him.