It was a pleasure to reconnect with Marc – known as F1 Elvis in the past – after twelve years since our last interview on this website. He remains deeply involved in the sport, expressing his thoughts on the current F1 landscape through a popular Vlog.
The first question posed to Priestley, who had previously worked with Hamilton during his transition from GP2 to F1 under the guidance of McLaren’s Ron Denis, was about Lewis potentially moving to Ferrari. What are his thoughts?
Marc began to elaborate: “The move was quite surprising on multiple levels. It caught everyone off guard. However, now that we have had some time to reflect on it, I understand why he made the decision. He is seeking a new challenge in his life.
“Lewis is nearing the end of his career, and there is undoubtedly a romantic appeal to driving for Ferrari, which I can comprehend. Additionally, I believe he sees a Ferrari team that is on the rise, while Mercedes seems to have plateaued and is currently struggling with no clear direction. That is Mercedes’ biggest obstacle,” Marc concluded.
“They have appointed Fred Vasseur as the new leader,” Priestley highlights. “Which, in my opinion, is an excellent choice. The entire organization is currently undergoing a transformation, and you can see it in the way they communicate with the drivers at Ferrari through radio calls. There is a newfound confidence.
“The drivers now have more faith in the team. They are also making better strategic decisions, something that was not always the case in the past. Even their pitstops have become exceptional, with a record-breaking 1.9-second stop in Miami.
“Considering all this, Lewis sees Ferrari as a team on the rise, and he might have timed his move perfectly. If he were to fulfill his dream and bring the F1 World Championship back to Ferrari after all these years, he would be hailed as a hero in Italy.”
Priestley also cautions that this partnership comes with its risks and the potential to not meet expectations: “When athletes or sportsmen approach the end of their careers and make one last attempt, there is always a chance of disappointment.
“There is a possibility of falling short, which can tarnish an otherwise illustrious reputation. However, I don’t believe Lewis is experiencing any decline in performance.
“Some F1 fans might argue that Lewis has been outperformed by George [Russell] and has had poor results. I understand those concerns. But I firmly believe that it has nothing to do with Lewis losing his skills, talent, or ability.
“Joining a resurgent Ferrari would be an incredibly motivating and challenging opportunity for Lewis, and that’s what he thrives on,” said Priestley, who has worked with Hamilton at McLaren and other F1 legends like Mika Hakkinen, Kimi Raikkonen, David Coulthard, Juan Pablo Montoya, Fernando Alonso, and others.
Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes inevitably sparked a discussion about the struggles faced by Toto Wolff’s team since their remarkable achievement of winning 15 F1 World Titles in just ten years. Marc chimed in on the topic, stating, “This year has been incredibly challenging for everyone at Mercedes, not just Lewis but for the entire team.”
“Lewis has faced similar situations before and has managed to overcome them. He has turned things around and achieved further success after experiencing some truly disappointing moments. I believe the prospect of joining Ferrari is what will keep his motivation alive. It’s like a dangling carrot, you know? This is the opportunity he sees to fulfill his dreams,” Priestley added.
If Hamilton were to secure his unprecedented eighth F1 title, it would not only be a personal triumph but also contribute to Ferrari’s impressive record of 31 F1 World Championship titles (16 Constructors and 15 Drivers). As John Elkann assembles another Dream Team for Tifosi, the stage is set for Hamilton to make his mark in the iconic red colors.