Arnoux doesn't believe Hamilton will win title with Ferrari: 'Too old'

With his move to Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton has made the hearts of Italian fans beat faster: will the Brit finally be the person to win a world title with Ferrari after such a long break? Hamilton himself will undoubtedly believe he has a good chance of winning a historic eighth title.

Not everyone is convinced that Hamilton will manage to win the ultimate top prize with Ferrari's F1 team. René Arnoux, for example, the now 75-year-old Frenchman who competed for the Italian team for just over two seasons (1983-1985) and helped Ferrari to three Grand Prix victories. He thinks Hamilton - who will be 40 when he starts at Ferrari - is too old.

In the Gazzetta dello Sport, Arnoux says: "All drivers, without exception, want to go to Ferrari. I had that too. Hamilton is a great champion, he has already won seven World Championships, but he wants to end his career in the red. The problem is that he does arrive there at the age of 40, and in sport, age affects results. A lot of young people are strong. I don't think you can win a world championship at the age of 40."

Before Hamilton starts his adventure in Maranello, he will drive for Mercedes for one more season. On Saturday, he said he will do his utmost for the German team and together try to perhaps grab that title: "My focus is on the coming season and getting back on the track with Mercedes. I'm more driven than ever, I'm fitter and more focused than ever and I want to help Mercedes win again. I am 100 per cent committed to the work I have to do and I am determined to finish my collaboration with the team with a good feeling."