Formula One legend Michael Schumacher “would be happy” to have seen modern-day great Lewis Hamilton join the German’s former team, Ferrari, according to retired driver Giancarlo Fisichella.
Hamilton confirmed earlier this month that he will quit Mercedes at the end of the year and join Ferrari in one of the biggest F1 driver moves in history.
The 39-year-old superstar will fulfil a lifelong dream by driving for the iconic Italian marque, with the lure of surpassing his childhood idol, Schumacher, to win a potential eighth world championship too tempting to pass up.
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Schumacher became arguably the sport’s greatest-ever figure during his time at Ferrari between 1996 and 2006, winning five of his seven titles in what was a golden era for the team.
Since 2013 though, the 55-year-old has never been seen publicly following a life-threatening skiing accident in the French Alps.
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The exact status of his health condition has remained a tight-kept secret, at the will of his family, who have completely shielded the iconic driver from the world.
But Fisichella, who drove for Ferrari in 2009, says Schumacher would have been thrilled to learn Hamilton joined his former team.
“For sure, Michael Schumacher would be happy to see Lewis Hamilton driving for Ferrari next year and winning the championship, why not?” he told Sports Illustrated.
Michael Schumacher was Lewis Hamilton’s idol growing up. Credit: Getty
“He would just explain that it’s an amazing fantastic team. It’s a little bit different to the English teams in terms of atmosphere, it’s a bit more like family.
“Straight away, he (Hamilton) will feel into the team. That is very important when you move in a new team, feeling like part of the family straight away.”
Schumacher retired from driving — for the second time — a year before the accident, robbing fans the chance to ever see him dip his toes into the management side of F1 racing, should he have chosen to go down that path.
“I know that Schumacher would have made a great team principal,” Fisichella said.
“I don’t know his condition because nobody knows about it, but I wish him nothing but the best and hope he can come back soon.”
German driver Michael Schumacher won a record seven Formula One drivers’ championships. Credit: AP
Hamilton only re-signed with Mercedes last August on a two-year contract that has now been confirmed to have had a release option in his favour.
“I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together,” he said in a statement.
“Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old. It’s a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make.
“But the time is right for me to take this step and I’m excited to be taking on a new challenge.”
Ferrari subsequently confirmed their new signing with the briefest statement: “Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025, on a multi-year contract.”
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