Jaime Alguersuari warns: Lewis Hamilton didn't join Ferrari to win races

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Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari stands as one of the defining narratives of the 2025 season, with fans eagerly anticipating that his presence could restore the Scuderia's former glory.

The Maranello team has been chasing another Drivers' Championship ever since Kimi Räikkönen clinched the title in a dramatic finale at the São Paulo Grand Prix in 2007, winning by a single point. Ironically, the driver he narrowly defeated in that battle was none other than Lewis Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton responded by securing his first title in 2008 while Ferrari claimed the Constructors' Championship. What followed was a dominant era for the Briton at Mercedes, during which he amassed six more titles, equaling Michael Schumacher's record of seven.

Now, as he embarks on his Ferrari adventure, Lewis Hamilton is chasing an eighth title—one that would propel him beyond Michael Schumacher and cement his legacy as the most successful driver in Formula 1 history. Achieving such a milestone would be particularly remarkable given that he would have done so with three different teams and across four distinct technical regulations.

While much of the excitement around the British driver’s Ferrari switch revolves around the possibility of another championship, former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari has suggested that winning races is not the primary reason behind the move. Speaking on the After Lap podcast, he cast doubt on whether Lewis Hamilton is truly in Maranello to fight for victories.

Turning 40 in January, Hamilton is now one of the most experienced drivers on the grid, with retirement inevitably drawing closer as most competitors step away from the sport by their mid-30s.

His final years at Mercedes were marked by a frustrating downturn in performance, and his transition to Ferrari represents an opportunity for a fresh challenge.

According to Alguersuari, Lewis Hamilton's current phase in F1 is less about relentless pursuit of victories and more about embracing the sport in a different way. Unlike Max Verstappen or Fernando Alonso, who continue to face immense pressure to deliver results, Lewis Hamilton, in Jaime Alguersuari's view, is now in a position to race with a different mindset—one that isn't solely fixated on winning.

The Spanish former racing driver, broadcaster and DJ, who competed in Formula One from 2009 to 2011, remarked that now Hamilton is at Ferrari, he doesn't believe the British driver is there to win. Instead, he suggested that Hamilton's focus is more on enjoying the experience, adding that he might even be considering retirement as it is approaching.

Alguersuari observed that Hamilton appears very relaxed and engages in other activities outside of racing. He noted that Hamilton doesn't view being outpaced by Leclerc as a disaster, in contrast to drivers like Fernando Alonso, for whom not winning would be catastrophic. Jaime Alguersuari also pointed out that Hamilton's approach is different from Max Verstappen's, as Hamilton doesn't spend hours on the simulator when things aren't going his way, instead maintaining a more relaxed attitude and operating on a different level.

Does Lewis Hamilton feel the pressure to win titles at Ferrari?
On the surface, it may seem that Hamilton has nothing left to prove in Formula 1, considering his unparalleled record. He holds the all-time records for wins (105), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (202), which could suggest that his place in the sport is secure.

However, his move to Ferrari is driven by a desire to rekindle the competitive fire that continues to burn within him. At 40 years old, Hamilton, like Fernando Alonso, who remains a fierce competitor at 43, has no family obligations that might otherwise weigh on him. This means that he remains free to pursue his passion for racing without any additional pressures.

Off the track, the British driver has already set himself up for life beyond Formula 1, with numerous business ventures in place. Yet, despite his future being secured, his legacy in the sport is very much on the line with this new chapter at the Italian side starting with the 2025 F1 campaign.

Many of the previous generation's top drivers, including Sebastian Vettel and Alonso, have tried and failed to bring the Scuderia back to championship glory. Now, Hamilton represents the last remaining hope for a driver from that era to secure another title for the team.

Whether this comes with significant pressure remains to be seen as the season unfolds. However, it's clear that Hamilton didn't join Ferrari simply to enjoy a final, leisurely stint in the sport. Instead, he is fully committed to pushing for success, determined to make his mark with the team before considering a possible exit.

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