Herbert: Joining Ferrari still the right thing for Hamilton

Hamilton surprised the world of Formula 1 after announcing that he would be leaving Mercedes for rivals Ferrari in 2025 at the start of February this year. The 39-year-old veteran would see out a final year with the Silver Arrows with an eye on surpassing Michael Schumacher and attaining an eighth Drivers' Title, this time in scarlet red.

Despite winning six of his seven Championships with Mercedes, Hamilton endured a difficult 2022 and 2023 with the team. He failed to win a single race in a full season for the first time in his career in 2022, and replicated this unfortunate showing the following year.

2024 started in much the same way, with Hamilton failing to appear on the podium in the opening nine Grands Prix. However, a raft of upgrades from the Brackley-based outfit he drives for saw a sudden change in fortunes for the Briton.

Hamilton couldn't hide his emotions after securing a record-ninth British Grand Prix victory, his first race win in F1 for almost 1000 days. After teammate George Russell's disqualification at the Belgian Grand Prix, the British driver made it two wins so far this season. He is the only driver apart from Championship leader Max Verstappen to win more than one event this year.

With all of this in mind, many think that Hamilton could enjoy more success by staying at Mercedes instead of moving to Ferrari. By contrast, the Maranello-based outfit have slumped in form after a solid start to the current campaign, and haven't won since Charles Leclerc's home victory in Monaco over two months ago.

However, former F1 driver and Sky Sports F1 pundit Herbert still thinks Hamilton made the correct choice.

Speaking to TopOffShoreSportsBooks.com, Herbert said: "At the time it was the right decision for him! Mercedes were not looking very good and the mood was dark. The car wasn't competitive at all. Ferrari were doing better. It was also an opportunity to reset in that quest for an eighth world title.

"Mercedes have surprised everybody in how quickly they have turned around that car. Good on them. It is very impressive what they have been able to do.

"Everyone is saying positive things about the Merc and that they are ahead of the game for 2026 with the power unit," added Herbert.

Despite this, Herbert believes that Hamilton's experience and power will elevate Ferrari to higher levels. He continued: "I think it is still probably the right thing for Lewis to do and see if Adrian Newey joins him. I am sure it is something that must have been spoken about when he made the announcement that he was leaving to join Ferrari.

"There has got to be something going on. Lewis comes with a massive amount of positive baggage. When he opens that bag the respect is huge. The aura he will bring into the factory is very powerful.

"The way he works within a team will be a huge positive and a motivation for everyone. A driver has that power to change things," concluded the Briton.

Hamilton will be back in action at the Dutch Grand Prix after the summer break, which commences Sunday 25 August at 14:00 BST (15:00 local time).