Hamilton to add 'gigantic' value to Ferrari

Former Ferrari race winner Jean Alesi has insisted Lewis Hamilton will bring the Scuderia a "gigantic" boost because of his "media value".

The Briton will join Ferrari from next season in a shock switch that will bring an end to a career-long partnership with Mercedes, which also backed McLaren's efforts in the early 1990s and early 2000s when Hamilton was picked up as a youngster.

Hamilton, with a record-equalling seven Drivers' titles paired with various exploits away from the sport, has helped develop himself into global superstar which has helped to boost his, F1's and his team's profile around the world, something Alesi was quick to point out for Corriere della Sera.

"I think he [Charles Leclerc, Hamilton's future teammate] is aware of the fact that in a year he will find himself alongside a driver who is strong competitively.

"[Hamilton is] very strong in terms of intelligence applied to racing and, in addition, gigantic if we think about his media value."

No first driver problem for Ferrari

Leclerc joined Ferrari in 2019 and has since formed the team largely around himself and, just a week before Hamilton's move was announced, the Monégasque confirmed a long-term extension to his stay at Maranello.

Yet despite a driver of Hamilton's pedigree joining alongside him, Alesi has insisted the premise of first and second drivers is no longer an immediate issue.

"Hamilton I think can overshadow anyone. In contrast, Leclerc has the head and talent to play his own cards," the Frenchman explained.

"But the "first driver" issue today constitutes a meaningless argument. It is not like in my time anymore: for a team - any team - it is technically impossible to put different cars on the track if we think about how the chassis, the engines, are made.

"That's why I think it will be the qualifying, the races that will dictate an internal hierarchy, which will make, if possible, this very high-level confrontation inside Ferrari even more compelling."