'Eccentric' Hamilton backed to 'feed off' Ferrari move and make F1 history

Lewis Hamilton has been backed to "get the job done" and win the world championship for Ferrari by Nigel Mansell. 

Seven-time F1 champion Hamilton will switch to Ferrari for 2025 as he tries to claim an eighth crown that will eclipse the record he jointly holds with Michael Schumacher. He will become the first full-time English-born driver to race for the Scuderia since Mansell in 1989-1990.

Mansell, who secured three grand prix wins for Ferrari before moving to Williams in 1991 and claiming his sole title the following year, was renowned by the Tifosi as 'il leone' - The Lion. 

Speaking on Hamilton's move from Mercedes, Mansell described it as a "magical step" and backed Hamilton to become the first driver since Juan Manuel Fangio in 1956 to win the F1 title with three different teams. 

"I’ve been a Lewis Hamilton fan all the time and I predicted he’d be one of the best ever," Mansell told Top Offshore Sportsbooks. 

"He’s done that. He gets a lot of criticism. I think what he’s done now to end his career in Formula 1 going to Ferrari is a magical step for him. 

"He won’t realise, having been an ex-Formula 1 Ferrari driver, to drive for Ferrari is something incredibly special and he’ll feed off that. 

"Give Lewis the car, he’ll get the job done, and so I predict that he will have a fabulous time at Ferrari.

"He’ll go into a different gear. He’ll be motivated again, and I expect Lewis to challenge for the World Championship in 2025. 

"Lewis is eccentric at times, but Lewis is a class act. Nobody can take away his achievements.

"Yes, he’s had the most fantastic cars and support and everything else, but Lewis is great. I hope he pulls it off next year."