Max Verstappen believes Lewis Hamilton will be “reborn” at Ferrari, whilst Red Bull boss Christian Horner is more cautious of the seven-time world champion’s prospects.
Hamilton, 40, joins the Italian team for the 2025 season after 12 years at Mercedes.
“It will provide him with a different scenery, a new motivation,” said Verstappen, who finished 214 points ahead of Hamilton last season.
Horner cautioned that Hamilton’s success would depend on his start with the team.
Christian Horner feels Lewis Hamilton may struggle
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“If Lewis gets off to a good start and he gets the team around him, he will find his confidence and he could be a real contender for this world championship,” said Horner.
“He seems to be embracing his new environment. I saw his speaking in Italian the other day – or an English version of Italian – and they (the tifosi) will love him if he is quick and he delivers.
“He will feed off that energy. But if he doesn’t get off to a good start, it will inevitably be harder for him.”
Verstappen, who was heavily booed on stage, expanded on Hamilton’s potential transformation at Ferrari.
“When you have been with a team for a long time, have won a lot and then had a few tough seasons, maybe your motivation is different,” he said.
“Now it is almost like he is reborn.”
The Dutchman also acknowledged the strength of Ferrari’s driver line-up.
Lewis Hamilton will get to test run his new Ferrari soon
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“We all know how good Lewis is and we all know how good Charles (Leclerc) is. Ferrari have two great drivers,” he added.
McLaren chief executive Zak Brown expressed confidence in Ferrari’s championship potential.
“I am definitely anticipating Lewis being a championship contender,” Brown said, noting the close competition between McLaren and Ferrari last season.
Hamilton will get his first serious experience in his new car during next week’s winter testing in Bahrain.
Ferrari enters the season seeking their first championship in nearly two decades.
Horner emphasised the event’s focus on fan engagement.
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“It’s a show very much for the fans,” the Red Bull team principal said.
The gathering highlighted the sport’s ability to unite competing teams for a shared spectacle.
The unprecedented nature of the event underscored Formula 1’s evolving approach to team presentations, bringing together rivals who typically launch their cars separately.