Did Lewis Hamilton make a mistake by leaving Mercedes for Ferrari? Former F1 race-winner gives his verdict

Johnny Herbert shared his take on Lewis Hamilton's decision to join Ferrari amid Mercedes' brilliant form of late. The Silver Arrows have made a significant recovery in recent times, whereas the Prancing Horse has not kept pace with the former's development. Despite this, Herbert believes Hamilton made the right choice.

Hamilton's decision to join the Italian team in February sent ripples across the F1 world. The seven-time world champion signed a multi-year contract worth $446 million, severing his decade-long ties with the Toto Wolff-led team.

However, months after the decision, the Brackley-based team improved their performances, leaving their Maranello-based rivals behind in terms of progress. They claimed race wins in Britain, Austria, and Belgium, and are looking strong for P3 in the Constructors' Championship.

While Ferrari is still leading Mercedes by 89 points in the Championship, it would not take long before the German giant overtakes their Italian neighbors at this rate. Despite all this, the former F1 driver Herbert supported Hamilton's decision.

"At the time it was the right decision for him! Mercedes were not looking very good and the mood was dark. The car wasn’t competitive at all. Ferrari were doing better. It was also an opportunity to reset in that quest for an eighth world title," Herbert said to TopOffShoreSportsBooks.com.

"I think it is still probably the right thing for Lewis to do and see if Adrian Newey joins him. I am sure it is something that must have been spoken about when he made the announcement that he was leaving to join Ferrari," he added.

Hamilton is set to join Ferrari in 2025, departing the Brackley-based team after 12 years. Hamilton claimed six of his seven driver's championships driving for the Mercedes AMG F1 Team.

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Ferrari boss lauds Lewis Hamilton as he returns to form

Lewis Hamilton during the Formula 1 British Grand Prix 2024 (Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur took the opportunity to praise Lewis Hamilton after the British driver claimed two wins in recent succession. The seven-time world champion took the British GP win at Silverstone and inherited the Belgian GP victory at Spa-Francorchamps from teammate George Russell.

"We certainly know the positive aspects of Lewis' arrival, such as his great experience," Vasseur told Sky Italia. "Everyone since the beginning of the season has said that Russell is faster than him, but at the moment he is the one who has brought more points to Mercedes. So in terms of efficiency, I think he is a good point of reference."

As Vasseur said, Ferrari could use Hamilton's brilliant form and steer ahead of its competitors in 2025. It will be interesting to see if Ferrari manages to take home a much-awaited constructors' championship next year and help Lewis Hamilton claim his record-breaking eighth.