Thierry Boutsen dreams of a great Ferrari again. And on Hamilton.

Among the many former Formula 1 champions starring at Historic Minardi Day, which set a new attendance record in 2025 with 20 thousand fans arriving at the Imola Autodrome, was Thierry Boutsen, who in his brilliant career raced 164 Grand Prix, winning three of them. Sportal.it interviewed him exclusively.

In the Ferrari household, is it the case that we are already thinking about 2026?
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Maybe even to 2027 (smiles, ed.). Formula 1 is always very difficult, really difficult. Look at McLaren: until recently it was at the bottom of the standings, now it wins everything. I hope the same happens with Ferrari, because it was born to win.

And Hamilton, how do you assess his moment?
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Hamilton has a problem: he doesn’t adapt to these cars. He has always made a difference, he has always been very strong. But today, if something doesn’t work, the driver can no longer compensate with talent. That’s the problem: the car makes 80 percent, the driver counts for 20 percent.

Do you think the British star could quit and throw in the towel?
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Why should he quit? He can still have his say. Although … it may happen that one day one finds himself and says “enough.” Let’s hope not. A pilot should quit only when he doesn’t feel like it anymore.

Is there a current pilot in whom you see yourself? Someone who reminds her a little of her style?
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Mah, it’s difficult. The cars today are very different. Everything has changed. In my time, tuning the car really needed the work of the driver. Today the engineer counts so much, the driver just has to adapt. There is not much room for “my” style.

Would you have liked to drive these modern single-seaters?
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It’s all too different-the way you drive, the way you think, the way you work. It’s a different sport. But the speed remains, with its timeless appeal.