“I would not have contracted Lewis Hamilton”: Formerly banned F1 chief makes feelings crystal clear about Ferrari signing the ex-Mercedes megastar

Alpine's Flavio Briatore has criticized Ferrari's move to sign Lewis Hamilton and claimed that the move did would feel "strange," further adding that he wouldn't have signed the seven-time world champion. He also suggested that the Scuderia should not have "torn apart" the Charles Leclerc-Carlos Sainz duo.

January 1st, 2025 marked the date when Hamilton officially became a driver for the Maranello-based outfit. He used an exit clause in his two-year Mercedes contract and parted ways with the German team after racing with them for over a decade, amassing six championships. This move is said to be one of the biggest in F1's history.

Despite Hamilton's impeccable driving that has brought him and his teams great success over the years, Alpine's Flavio Briatore (who was previously banned from F1 because of the "Crashgate Scandal" in 2008) criticized the move.

"It will be strange to see Lewis in a Ferrari," Briatore told Sport Bild, via PlanetF1. "Of course I respect such decisions, but I wonder if it makes sense. I don’t understand why this great duo [Leclerc and Sainz] has been torn apart."

He further claimed that he would not have made the move if he were responsible at Ferrari:

"It is not up to me to pass judgment on that, but if I was the person in charge at Ferrari, I would not have contracted Hamilton."

Lewis Hamilton replaced Carlos Sainz in the team. Sainz moved to Williams Racing and is set to partner with Alex Albon in 2025.

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Ferrari team principal focused to 'turn the page' after Lewis Hamilton's arrival at the team

As mentioned, Hamilton's move to the Italian outfit has been labeled as one of the biggest moves in the sport's history. It was unexpected as the Brit had been associated with Mercedes for a large part of his career.

It is apparent that there would be celebrations down in Maranello with Lewis Hamilton's arrival. Team principal Frederic Vasseur admitted it, too. However, he also mentioned that once his welcoming is over, the crew would have to 'turn the page,' and focus back on work to improve in the 2025 season.

"Everybody all over the world is excited and for sure, the mechanics are also excited, but because it’s always exciting to have someone who is a seven-times World Champion into the car," Vasseur told Sky F1.

"But I think after the day one, we’ll have to turn this page and to be focused on the job."

Ferrari finished the 2024 Constructors' championship in second place as McLaren clinched the title. This was their first Constructors' win since 1998. The Italin outfit is expected to be in battle within the top three in 2025.