Not so surprised by the choice of Lewis Hamilton to join Ferrari in 2025, Alain Prost admits, however, to asking many questions about the success of this unprecedented alliance in Formula 1. The Frenchman does not hide the curiosity that awakens him, questioning the validity of this choice, both for the seven-time world champion and for the Scuderia.
“I can understand his decision, because when you are in a team like Mercedes, with whom you haven’t won a race in two years and who are struggling to get back to the front, at his age, he said: ‘OK, why no? try something different?’”, explained Alain Prost in a column in Sports Illustrated. “I’m not sure he had the chance to go to Red Bull, at least not with Max [Verstappen]that’s for sure, it’s not possible.”
“Then there was Ferrari, especially with the regulation change in 2026. That only leaves one year, in 2025, to establish himself in the team. After 2026 he will be 42, maybe even 43, so that will be another story. I can understand if he doesn’t want to stop running. The question is whether it is a good decision for Ferrari.”
According to Prost, the criteria that will define the success or failure of the collaboration between Hamilton and Ferrari are multiple and should not be underestimated.
“It’s good for F1, because everyone will watch,” he admitted. “We can have an idea of what it will be like, but the perception we can have today will be different next year at the same stage, because he will be a year older. Will he be motivated at Ferrari?”
“It’s possible, because if it’s a short period, maybe just a year, and Ferrari is doing well, I think he can regain his motivation. The relationship with Charles [Leclerc]but also the atmosphere at Ferrari is also [importante]. He spent a lot of time with an English team, at Mercedes, with a different way of working, and he goes to an Italian team, especially with a different pressure, a different way of working, under pressure from the media I think it’s not so easy.”
