FORMULA 1 ABU DHABI GP LEWIS HAMILTON RUMOURS

Hamilton backed for eighth title as Andretti refuses to write F1 star off

18:01, 14 Jan

Updated: 19:04, 14 Jan

byLudo van Denderen

Lewis Hamilton had a very difficult season in 2025, but Mario Andretti is certainly not ready to write him off. The American legend is even convinced that Hamilton can secure his eighth Formula 1 world title.

Hamilton walked through the Formula 1 paddock in the final weeks of last season with his spirits low. The Briton couldn’t find speed in his Ferrari and looked despondent, while some analysts felt it would be wiser for him to call it a day in his long career.

Andretti believes in Hamilton’s resurgence

Hamilton—now 41 years old—won’t give up that easily and will be on the grid again next season. Mario Andretti, the 1978 Formula 1 world champion, firmly believes Sir Lewis will be capable of achieving great things with Ferrari.

Photo: Race Pictures

“I don't think you could ever count him out,” Andretti says in an exclusive conversation with GPblog.

"There's too much talent there to say ‘well, no’. To me, it's going to be up to him, of course. I don't know what his mental situation is or desire, but you can never doubt the talent. I mean, not with the record that he has in the sport."

Asked whether Hamilton can become Formula 1 world champion again, Andretti is particularly clear: “He could be world champion again, absolutely."

Ferrari at a disadvantage?

The car Hamilton will use to chase that eighth world title will be unveiled on January 23. The Italian team does not (yet) have a 'trick' in the engine, as Mercedes and Red Bull Ford do. As a result, the Scuderia could have a significant disadvantage compared to the competition.

It’s no coincidence Ferrari is trying to get this ‘trick’ banned by the FIA; otherwise, Hamilton would be fighting a largely unwinnable battle to begin with. Mario Andretti, however, has no issues with this ‘trick’.

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