Eddie Irvine, former Ferrari driver and four-time Grand Prix winner, has voiced his desire for Max Verstappen to make the move from Red Bull to Ferrari. However, Irvine cautions the Dutch driver not to delay the decision, warning that waiting too long risks arriving at Ferrari at an advanced age, a situation he believes Lewis Hamilton has encountered. This insight highlights the importance of timing in Formula 1 career moves and directly ties to the Lewis Hamilton Ferrari mistake that Irvine emphasizes Verstappen should avoid.
Lessons from Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Experience
Lewis Hamilton joined Ferrari at 40 years old amid high expectations, representing a union between the sport’s most successful driver and its most storied team. Despite the hype, Hamilton has struggled to match expectations, currently trailing team-mate Charles Leclerc by 46 points in the Drivers’ Championship and yet to secure a podium finish with Ferrari.
Irvine attributed this shortfall to Hamilton’s age at the time of switching teams.
“Problem with Lewis, he came a bit too old,”
Irvine told Sky F1.
“But he won seven World Championships, so there’s always a price.”
This blunt assessment underscores the challenges faced when a driver arrives too late to adapt fully and impact the team positively.
The Potential Impact of Verstappen at Ferrari Compared to Schumacher
Irvine expressed strong enthusiasm for Verstappen joining Ferrari, predicting the Dutchman could mirror the profound influence Michael Schumacher had on the team. Schumacher rose from winning two World Championships with Benetton to becoming a Ferrari icon by securing five more titles with the Italian team, totaling seven championships—matching Hamilton’s overall record.
Reflecting on Schumacher’s legacy, Irvine noted the sacrifices and patience required, describing how Schumacher accepted early setbacks when joining Ferrari.
“Michael gave up a lot, like Michael probably gave up two, three, maybe even more world championships to leave Benetton to go [to Ferrari]. Because the first few years, people have no idea how bad it was at Ferrari,”
Irvine said. Schumacher’s example illustrates the dedication needed to revive Ferrari’s fortunes, a challenge Verstappen could face if he makes the move.
Challenges Unique to Ferrari’s Environment
Irvine highlighted the difficulty of succeeding at Ferrari, pointing out the lack of surrounding teams in Italy limits collaboration and innovation.
“It’s very difficult, Ferrari, because they’re on their own in Italy,”
Irvine explained.
“The British teams are all surrounded by other teams, and there’s cross pollination. It’s so much different, more difficult to be on your own down in Maranello. That’s it. It’s always more difficult for Ferrari.”
This isolation contrasts with other teams based in the UK, where knowledge sharing and technical exchanges are more common and can accelerate development. Without this advantage, Ferrari requires a strong, cohesive internal system, often built around a leading driver—a dynamic Irvine believes Verstappen could replicate.
Irvine’s Hope for Verstappen to Avoid Hamilton’s Timing Error
Drawing a parallel between Verstappen and Schumacher, Irvine sees the current World Champion as a rare talent who could attract top engineering and strategic staff to Ferrari, enhancing the team’s prospects.
“A bit like Verstappen is now, where if Verstappen went somewhere, he could take a lot of people,”
Irvine said.
“Without the whole system together, everyone’s, you know, at the same level. It’s tough, Formula 1’s tough.”
He warned that delaying the switch risks arriving too late to have the same impact, as Hamilton seemingly did.
“I would love Verstappen to come to Ferrari. I think the two of them together would be sensational. I hope he doesn’t leave it too late like Lewis did.”
Verstappen’s Thoughts on Driving for Ferrari
During the recent Italian Grand Prix, held at Ferrari’s home circuit, Verstappen faced questions about his future with Ferrari. Though he didn’t close the door on the possibility, the Red Bull driver emphasized that any move to Ferrari would depend on winning potential rather than the allure of the team itself.
Verstappen stated:
“They have two drivers contracted for next year, so there is no discussion. Is there a chance? Yes, there are a lot of chances in life for any kind of decision. Of course, at the moment that is not on the horizon, but who knows?”
Expressing uncertainty about his own career longevity, he said,
“I don’t even know how long I’m driving in Formula 1, so there are still a lot of unknowns for me.”
On the allure of Ferrari’s brand, Verstappen remarked,
“It’s always very difficult to know what is going to happen.”
He elaborated on the common desire among drivers to compete for Ferrari but warned against letting emotion override strategic career choices.
“If I would ever want to go there, I don’t go there just to drive for Ferrari, I go there because I see the opportunity to win.”
He stressed this was crucial:
“And if you win with Ferrari, that’s even better. And that’s I think where you shouldn’t let yourself get guided just because of the emotions and passion of a brand.”
Verstappen concluded by saying,
“You need to go there because you feel that is the right place to go.”
The Long-Term Implications for Ferrari and Formula 1
Irvine’s commentary sheds light on the delicate balance Ferrari must achieve to return to championship-winning form. Bringing in a driver like Verstappen early enough could renew the team’s competitiveness, much like Schumacher’s era decades ago. Conversely, delays or poor timing risk stagnation, as Hamilton’s ongoing struggles illustrate.
For Verstappen, weighing the Ferrari opportunity involves assessing his current success at Red Bull against the historic prestige and challenges of Ferrari’s Maranello base, where innovation and teamwork must flourish despite geographic isolation.
As Formula 1 evolves, Ferrari’s ability to attract and retain top talent—including drivers, engineers, and strategists—will continue to be pivotal. Irvine’s warnings and Verstappen’s cautious optimism point to a complex future ahead, where timing and strategic moves could shape the next era of the sport.
