Former F1 star claims Michael Schumacher 'would be happy' to see Lewis Hamilton win his eighth world title at Ferrari... as the Brit prepares to switch to the Italian giants next year

Former F1 star Giancarlo Fisichella believes Michael Schumacher would be pleased to see Lewis Hamilton driving for Ferrari ahead of his move to the Italian giants next year.

Hamilton announced earlier this year that he will be joining Ferrari next season, bringing an end to his 11-year stay at Mercedes.

Schumacher won five world titles with Ferrari, and is tied on seven championship triumphs with Hamilton, and the Brit believes he could surpass the German icon's record in his old car.

Schumacher has not been seen in public since a serious skiing accident in December 2013, and Fisichella admits he hasn't spoken to him, but he thinks the 55-year-old would want Hamilton to succeed at Ferrari. 

'For sure, Michael Schumacher would be happy to see Lewis Hamilton driving for Ferrari next year and winning the championship, why not?,' Fisichella told OCB Scores.

Lewis Hamilton is set to leave Mercedes to join Ferrari at the end of the season

Giancarlo Fisichella believes Michael Schumacher would be pleased to see Hamilton driving for his former team

Fisichella (pictured) also believes Schumacher would be happy for Hamilton to pass his record of seven world titles with the Italian giants

'I know that Schumacher would have made a great team principal. I don't know his condition because nobody knows about it, but I wish him nothing but the best and hope he can come back soon.'

Fisichella drove for Ferrari in 2009, and secured three race wins during his 13-year F1 career.

When reflecting on what makes Ferrari special, he claimed that they create a 'family' atmosphere which allowed Schumacher to thrive. 

Speaking about any advice that Schumacher would give to Hamilton, Fisichella added: 'He would just explain that it’s an amazing fantastic team. It’s a little bit different to the English teams in terms of atmosphere, it’s a bit more like family. Straight away, he will feel into the team.

'That is very important when you move in a new team, feeling like part of the family straight away.'

Fisichella appears optimistic about Hamilton's chances at Ferrari, but they still have plenty of work to do if they want to catch current pace-setters Red Bull.

They have dominated the first two races of the 2024 season, securing one-two finishes in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with Max Verstappen already emerging as the overwhelming favourite to secure a fourth straight world title.

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz finished third in Bahrain, while Charles Leclerc took the final podium spot in Saudi Arabia, but it has been a tough start to the season for Hamilton at Mercedes.

The 39-year-old has failed to finish in the top six in the opening two races, leaving Mercdes playing catch-up to their rivals.