1992 F1 world champion Nigel Mansell revealed that he "wishes" Ferrari had a competitive package for Lewis Hamilton.
Ferrari ended the 2024 F1 season with a strong car, which saw it take the fight to McLaren for the constructors' title down to the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Unfortunately, this year's SF-25 has proven to be inconsistent, to the extent that the Scuderia is the only top four team without a win from the 12 completed rounds.
Hamilton is yet to even secure a podium for the Maranello-based outfit, with Mansell wishing Ferrari could rediscover what it had last season for the seven-time world champion.
Asked for his thoughts on Hamilton at Ferrari, Mansell joked at Goodwood: "I think it's fantastic. I needed another 10 years to earn what he gets in one year.
"No, Lewis is fantastic, great world champion. I just wish Ferrari would get something back that they had last year, because they should be competing at the top, and they've lost something this winter."
Viewed by others:
Norris versus Piastri
Whilst Ferrari has fallen backwards from last year, McLaren has taken a huge step in the right direction.
It boasts a 238-point lead in the standings over the Italian outfit, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri duelling for the drivers' title.
It is an all-McLaren scrap for the championship, with Mansell having experience of fighting a team-mate for a crown. In 1986 and 1987, Nelson Piquet battled Williams team-mate Mansell to the title.
Piquet clinched the title in 1987, whilst Alain prost defeated the duo in the 1986 finale.
Continuing to speak in front of a huge crowd, Mansell addressed Norris fighting Piastri for the title: "Well, I mean, he's with the best team. He's got the best car, he's got a strong team-mate.
"It's between both of them. But Lando's on a high he's just won the last two races, and it's there for the grabs, isn't it everybody?
"We're going to have another British world champion. So all the very, very best to Lando, but don't take it away from Oscar. He is going to push him all the way."
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes and Nick Golding, as they are joined by special guest senior Audi F1 consultant, Allan McNish! The trio discuss Audi's preparations for 2026 and take a general look back on the first half of the current season.
Rather watch the podcast? Then click here!
Most read
In this article
Join the conversation!