Ex-F1 driver Jacky Ickx believed Lewis Hamilton had a ‘double plus’ after joining Ferrari from the 2025 season onwards.
Lewis Hamilton is all set to join Ferrari in the 2025 season and start to perform well from the get-go. The Briton is expected to take the Italian constructor back to their glory days in the pinnacle of motorsport. Hence, amidst the preparations, Ex-F1 driver and six-time Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx praised Hamilton for his performances and shift in teams.
Lewis Hamilton is one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 solely due to his performances since his debut in the sport. Jacky Ickx reckoned that Hamilton was a unique driver from the others in the past or the current grid. Subsequently, the 79-year-old highlighted that some of the drivers like Ayrton Senna and Max Verstappen had a ‘plus’ compared to other drivers on the grid.
If you refer to Lewis, for me, he is a unique driver. It is like [Ayrton] Senna, you have Max [Verstappen], you have Michael Schumacher and [Juan Manuel] Fangio in the early days – these people have a little plus compared to the others.
Jacky Ickx told racingnews365.com
Hamilton, on the other hand, had a ‘double plus’ because of his performances and personality on and off the grid. Ickx noted that the 39-year-old was never afraid to participate in the Black Lives Matter movement which made him different. The Belgian claimed that the Briton was the only one who involved himself fully in something as he cared about his foundation.
But to me, he [Lewis Hamilton] is a double plus because he is a very human person who never feared to get involved in Black Lives Matter for example. He is the only one I know today who involves himself totally in something, and maybe that quality is something even more impressive than the first one when you see what he does, what he cares about with his foundation.
Jacky Ickx added
Lewis Hamilton to ‘end his career’ with Ferrari
Racing for Ferrari is a goal that every Formula 1 driver wants to achieve once in their lifetime. Lewis Hamilton received this opportunity and didn’t hesitate to clinch it. Jacky Ickx reckoned that Hamilton was attracted to stay at Maranello until the end of his career. Ickx believed this move was fantastic as the 39-year-old was aware of his capabilities and had control of his career in Formula 1.
I can see that even Lewis is attracted to be there for the end of his career. Honestly, it is fantastic because only he knows what he can do and where he wants to go.
Jacky Ickx noted
Ferrari is preparing to welcome Hamilton with open arms as the seven-time world champion prepares for the switch. The Briton will face a completely new set of crewmates in the coming season at the Scuderia. However, despite the unfamiliarity, the 2025 season would be exciting and interesting to witness for the fans and the driver alike.
