Max Verstappen hopes previous rival Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 transfer to Ferrari can be a hit and appeared excited by the prospect of seeing the seven-time world champion carrying crimson.

Hamilton’s bombshell transfer, which is able to occur after he finishes the ultimate yr of his Mercedes contract, has been the large story of F1’s offseason interval.

– Unlapped: How you can pay attention or watch ESPN’s F1 present
– What Hamilton’s transfer means for Ferrari, Mercedes and F1

Assuming he doesn’t win in 2024 with Mercedes, Hamilton will look to win a file eighth profession title with Ferrari, one thing Verstappen denied him from doing on the finish of a bitter and controversial 2021 championship battle.

Verstappen stated the crew change is smart for a driver so achieved.

“I used to be most likely a bit shocked with the announcement on the time,” Verstappen informed ESPN. “But when somebody needs to drive for Ferrari, and particularly when you’ve achieved already a lot in your profession, why not?

“Ferrari is a tremendous model, it has a lot historical past.”

Verstappen stated it’s unattainable to have a verdict on Hamilton’s determination with out data of his contract talks with each groups.

In a separate media session, he added: “We do not know the talks that they’d at Mercedes, at Ferrari, what has been promised, what they assume is coming. So you possibly can’t give an trustworthy evaluation from our facet why you make that call.

“But when he is pleased with that transfer, then he ought to go, I feel it’s going to look cool. And naturally, I hope for them that it is going to be success, however you do not know in the meanwhile.”

Verstappen has changed Hamilton as F1’s dominant pressure and comes into 2024 having received three consecutive titles.

The discuss of Hamilton’s transfer inevitably led to questions on whether or not Verstappen would ever contemplate the identical.

Verstappen, contracted to Pink Bull by way of to the top of 2028, downplayed the suggestion.

“I do not need to sound disrespectful or no matter,” he stated. “I imply, I’ve a number of respect for the model Ferrari, however I am very blissful the place I’m in the meanwhile.

“So I am comfy within the surroundings that I am in, so for me it isn’t one thing that I am on the lookout for, to vary or no matter.

“However in my life, I do know from what I’ve skilled to this point, I by no means say by no means with issues. However for me now, it isn’t even in my head. However once more, it is solely Method One. I need to do extra issues than Method One, as effectively.”

Pink Bull boss Christian Horner stated Hamilton will need to have seen one thing extremely interesting at Ferrari to stroll away from a lifelong affiliation with Mercedes.

“Lewis has clearly seen one thing he believes in there,” Horner informed ESPN. “It is a great model, it is a fantastic crew.

“To stroll away from the connection he is had with Mercedes-Benz since earlier than his time in Method One is an enormous transfer for him, however one he is clearly given an excessive amount of thought to. He is clearly seen one thing he believes in at Ferrari that is been sufficiently interesting to get him to step out of his consolation zone.”

F1’s new season begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 2.