For Helmut Marko, Hamilton can still progress “in an extraordinary way”
According to Helmut Marko, the supervisor of Red Bull's junior program, Lewis Hamilton still has some way to go in his new challenge with Ferrari. For the Austrian, it's not impossible for the seven-time champion to shine once again. His former teammate is also eager to see how it turns out.
Ralf Schumacher recently stated on the English TV channel, Sky, that it would be illusory to expect Lewis Hamilton to fight for the world championship title in his first season with Ferrari. However, Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s technical director, warns that the Briton has not said his last word and that we should not speculate too much before the start of the season.
« In Bahrain, Leclerc was the fastest Ferrari driver », Marko told RTL. Which seems rather normal. « He knows the team, he knows the car. » For Hamilton, however, everything is still new.
He did many laps at different paces, was able to drive and test the car, and gradually improved. If the whole environment is good, Hamilton can improve incredibly, added the Austrian.
Let us remember that Lewis went to Ferrari of his own accord for new challenges, explains Marko: « He was looking for this new challenge and I believe he will do everything in his power to ensure his expectations are met. »
Moreover, the Austrian is also aware that Hamilton will not find the task easy. Because his teammate Charles Leclerc is one of the best qualifying drivers in Formula 1 and because the field has been relatively tight for some time, a difference of three or four tenths in qualifying can result in losing three to five starting positions. It is crucial for Hamilton that he can compete in the first qualifying on equal footing with Leclerc. But it is certainly not easy, explains Marko. One thing is certain: Hamilton will be able to rely on Leclerc, as both drivers have the same driving style.
Russell thanks his compatriot « Lewis was the best of all time. »
Last year, the internal duel between the two compatriots at Mercedes was close, but Russell was better. He was clearly ahead of Hamilton, and if we include the sprint qualifying sessions, the score was even higher.
This year, the Briton overcame the seven-time world champion. In an exclusive interview with the BBC, he stated: « I am proud of the results I have achieved facing someone like Lewis. At the end of 2021, statistically and in terms of perception, Lewis was the greatest of all time. And I had three years against the greatest of all time, and I finished ahead of him two of the three years I had as a teammate. And I finished ahead more times in qualifying and more times in the race. If it were another era, if you finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton, you would be world champion. It’s a new chapter. And I don’t suddenly feel any additional responsibility. »
When the journalist asked him how he saw his former rival’s new adventure at Ferrari, he said:
I will therefore be really intrigued to see how this goes, as these are two incredible drivers.
He obviously joins an Italian team where Charles has been the number one for the past six years. It’s quite an interesting dynamic, but I think the battle will be tight between the two.
The transition at Ferrari to follow…
According to Marko, joining Ferrari carries a certain risk. In the best-case scenario, he could improve extraordinarily, but there is also the possibility that if conditions are not met and he has no chance of winning, his motivation could decrease slightly. In conclusion, according to Marko’s calculations, Ferrari is currently only the third most powerful team, placing just ahead of Mercedes and behind McLaren and Red Bull. If this proves true, Hamilton would not benefit from optimal conditions at the start of his career with Ferrari.
However, according to Marko, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion should not yet be ruled out of the possibilities for another title or a top 3 or 5 finish.
