Usain Bolt Predicts When Struggling Lewis Hamilton Could Win First F1 Title With Ferrari

Olympic legend Usain Bolt has reaffirmed his belief that Lewis Hamilton remains the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time, though he predicts the British star will face a challenging road back to the top with Ferrari.

Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, holds F1 records for the most wins (105), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (202). However, his last championship victory was in 2020, with his most recent win and podium coming in 2024 and his last pole position in 2023.

The 2025 season marked a difficult new chapter for Hamilton, as he joined Ferrari after winless campaigns with Mercedes in 2022 and 2023. His debut year with the Italian team was the first in his illustrious career without a single podium finish.

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Hamilton himself described his first year at Ferrari as a "nightmare" and his "worst season ever," admitting he struggled to adapt to the new car after 12 years at Mercedes. He noted that despite his best efforts, the situation seemed to "keep getting worse."

Bolt, an eight-time Olympic gold medalist, expressed excitement about Hamilton's potential comeback in 2026 when F1 introduces a major regulatory overhaul. However, he cautioned that it might take the driver a couple of years to fully acclimate to his new environment and challenge for a title.

"I believe it’s going to be quite a challenge for Lewis," Bolt told RacingNews365 as per Yahoo Sports. "I know what it’s like to fight your way back to the top. That’s not without its ups and downs." "So, I don’t think it will be easy for him," he continued. "He’ll need another year or two to feel completely comfortable at Ferrari… I’m really looking forward to the next few years. I’m sure he’ll make his mark again."

Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged that the team had "underestimated" the difficulties Hamilton would face in his first season with a non-English team. The driver reportedly struggled with Ferrari's different operational methods after moving to Italy.

Throughout the challenging season, Hamilton provided Ferrari with detailed feedback, comparing their processes to the successful systems at Mercedes, where he secured six of his seven titles, 84 wins, and 153 podiums.

Despite Hamilton experiencing the toughest year of his F1 career since his 2007 debut, Bolt remains unwavering in his assessment of the driver's legacy and future potential.

"Absolutely, I’m sure of that, no doubt about it," Bolt stated, confirming his confidence that Hamilton will win again. "I’m already looking forward to him standing on the top step of the podium again because like I said, he knows what it’s like to get there, and he knows how to stay there."