Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has declared Lewis Hamilton has already had a “massive” impact on the Ferrari team.
Hamilton announced 12 months ago that he would embark on his final season with Mercedes ahead of a sensational switch to Ferrari for the 2025 campaign.
The seven-time champion is currently partaking in his first week at Ferrari and drove one of its F1 cars for the first time at Fiorano on Wednesday.
Ferrari enter the upcoming season aiming to secure its first F1 title in 17 years, employing the most successful driver in the sport's history to help the quest of ending its drought.
Speaking to Casinoutanspelpaus, Herbert stated Hamilton has already had a significant impact on the team despite his recent arrival.
“Lewis Hamilton is such a powerful voice and such a unique character,” he said. “We're very lucky to have him in our sport.
“I think F1 itself has used it in a very, positive way. I think Mercedes used it in a massive way.”
“And from what I understand, already with Ferrari, there is a massive change in the mentality of having Lewis Hamilton on board at Ferrari.
“He could have been a quiet man coming into a team, not really saying much but he doesn't, he is outspoken in the cockpit and outside the cockpit.”
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Herbert details key element for Hamilton success at Ferrari
Hamilton endured a difficult final three seasons at Mercedes before making the switch to Ferrari.
Despite being 40 years of age and the second-oldest driver on the grid, Herbert believes Hamilton still has the ability to win an eighth title.
The former three-time race winner stated motivation will be the key to Hamilton's success at the team.
“When you've got one of the greatest drivers we've ever seen in F1, as in Lewis Hamilton, let's hope that it all comes together for him.
“He's very motivated. I know we've touched on this before, but the motivation of Lewis is always very important.
“I always remember that the motivation was so, so important to him. To go away in the winter, have a bit of a reboot, to come back all fresh, but having that motivation is so important.
“From what Lewis has been saying so far, his motivation is definitely not lacking.”
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