Villeneuve: ‘Hamilton’s heart and mind are already in Ferrari’

Jacques Villeneuve says Lewis Hamilton is focused on his adventure at Ferrari.
1997 Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has weighed in on the possible reasons for Lewis Hamilton’s decline in motivation ahead of his move from Mercedes to Ferrari.

Villeneuve told Grosvenor Sport: “I have no doubt that he can achieve the same success again, even though he has achieved so much. Things may not be going well at Mercedes at the moment, but that doesn’t mean he has lost his talent.”

“His heart and mind are probably already in Ferrari. He knew he wouldn’t win the title with Mercedes this year. So why would he spend his energy building a car and a team for someone else? He’s just finishing his contract at the moment.”

“Winning at Ferrari would be the next step that would make him the greatest driver in history. Winning again with Mercedes wouldn’t mean much, but winning with Ferrari… after what he’s achieved, there’s nothing bigger in the world.”

“When he signed for Ferrari, there was nothing there. He could see where Mercedes was going. It was time. Sometimes you just go with your gut, jump in and hope the other ship is better. When he moved to Mercedes, people were asking, ‘What is he doing? Is he crazy?’ But it turned out to be the right move.”

“If he wins at Ferrari, he will be invincible forever. That’s it. He will engrave his name. It’s very simple. If he doesn’t win, he still has all the records. But this would be the final step for him. It’s worth taking the risk.”