- The Formula 1 CEO was surprised by Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari
- Stefano Domenicali believes the seven-time world champion will bring success
- Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari means Carlos Sainz will have to find a new team to join
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has hailed Ferrari’s takeover of Lewis Hamilton as a “great decision” and played down concerns about Carlos Sainz finding a seat elsewhere.
The seven-time F1 world champion’s shock move to the famous Italian garage was confirmed ahead of the start of the current 2025 season, with Hamilton now in his final year at Mercedes.
His arrival surprised both the sport’s fans and competing teams when it was announced that Hamilton would replace Sainz, who will now have to find a new place with a rival team for next season.
Hamilton will team up with Ferrari’s top driver Charles Leclerc in the garage under team boss Frederic Vasseur – despite Sainz enjoying a stronger start to the new season, with some supporters criticizing the decision to change drivers.
However, F1 chief Domenicali believes this is the best move for the team – which has not won a drivers’ title since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007 – and backed Hamilton to make an immediate impact.
Stefano Domenicali calls Ferrari’s takeover of Lewis Hamilton a ‘great decision’
Hamilton will join Ferrari at the start of next season while he takes time to pursue his career at Mercedes
Due to the arrival of Hamilton, current Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz is looking for a new team
Giving his views on this current topic, Domenicali told Turrini and the publication Quotidiano: “I would like to start by saying that Carlos is a gentleman driver and it is no coincidence that he is the man of the market at the moment.
‘He will find a position that suits his qualities. But with Hamilton, Ferrari has made a great decision, not just on a marketing level. It is a strategic choice.
“I am at all the races and Hamilton has lost none of his talent and is still hungry for success,” he added.
Hamilton’s impending departure from Mercedes means Toto Wolff has a new driver to partner George Russell in the team and Sainz is one name that has been mentioned.
The Spaniard is one of the top drivers on the circuit and recently won the Australian Grand Prix, which gave Ferrari a first victory of the new season.
Mercedes boss Wolff previously said the decision to appoint Hamilton’s replacement would not be rushed unless Max Verstappen decides he wants to join.
The reigning three-time world champion leads the Drivers’ Championship with Red Bull, despite the ongoing saga surrounding Christian Horner at the team putting the Dutchman’s future in doubt.
Hamilton will partner Charles Leclerc (left) at Ferrari next season after signing a two-year contract
Domenicali believes Hamilton can help Ferrari end its wait for a first drivers’ title since 2007
Domenicali labeled Verstappen as ‘logical favourite’ to win a fourth consecutive title this season, but warned Ferrari he is set for a sustained challenge against Red Bull.
‘In my opinion they work well at Maranello.’In Melbourne the Scuderia provided an extraordinary demonstration of competitiveness.
‘Although I continue to consider Verstappen as the logical favorite.
‘But Ferrari has made a leap forward and differentiated itself from the other teams, such as Mercedes. It is significant, not a small detail,” he added.