Nigel Mansell hits back at critics of Lewis Hamilton's bold Ferrari move - "He will surprise everybody"

Former F1 driver Nigel Mansell snubbed those who criticized Lewis Hamilton ahead of his mega Ferrari move next season. Mansell said that the seven-time world champion will "surprise" everybody when he moves to the Prancing Horse at the end of this season.

Hamilton signed a multi-year contract with Ferrari earlier this year. Even though he had a one-plus-one-year deal with Mercedes till the end of the 2025 F1 season, the Silver Arrows ace decided to jump ships.

The news of Hamilton's move to Ferrari raised multiple eyebrows since the most successful F1 driver will leave Brackley after a 12-year-long association. It would also see the end of the most successful driver and team pairing in Formula 1.

While the move brought excitement among fans and critics, many called Hamilton out over his choice. Mansell, the 1992 F1 champion snubbed them and resorted to a stern explanation. Here's what he said (as quoted by F1oversteer),

"I think that what Lewis has done by deciding to join Ferrari is the most magical thing he could have done," Mansell said. "The team is ultra-competitive. They could go for the championship next year. I don’t care what anybody says about Lewis. He is a class act. I have always been a fan of his."

Speaking about his intra-team dynamic against Charles Leclerc at Maranello, the former F1 driver further added,

“It won’t be easy going against [Charles] Leclerc but I think it will be healthy," Mansell said. "Some people might see Lewis as an underdog but I think those people would be making a huge mistake if they do that. I think he will surprise everybody. It might take him a couple of tests to get comfortable but I see a total resurgence at Ferrari."

Lewis Hamilton will join Charles Leclerc and his former F2 boss Fred Vasseur at Ferrari and replace Williams-bound Carlos Sainz.

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Nigel Mansell believes Lewis Hamilton will claim 8th championship with Ferrari

Nigel Mansell believed that Lewis Hamilton would be able to claim the much coveted eighth F1 world championship with Ferrari and become the greatest driver of all time. Even though Hamilton is the most successful F1 driver, he is tied with Michael Schumacher with seven titles.

"Lewis has all the attributes to get another world title," he said on Hamilton's chances (as quoted by Sun). "He will have a renaissance in the car because he’s super quick and Ferrari will do a good job for him.”

Lewis Hamilton (44) of United Kingdom and team Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team - Source: Getty Images

The British driver lost the chance of claiming his eighth title back in 2021 when Max Verstappen trumped him to claim his maiden title. Following that event, Lewis Hamilton failed to contest for the championship ever since.