Legendary Formula 1 driver Nigel Mansell knows exactly what it takes to race for Ferrari.

Nigel Mansell spent two seasons racing for Ferrari in 1989 and 1990 before rejoining his beloved Williams.

He won three races and secured 11 podiums during his time with the team, before going on to win his only drivers’ championship with Williams in 1992.

Eddie Irvine and, briefly, Oliver Bearman followed in Mansell’s footsteps as British Ferrari drivers in F1, but Lewis Hamilton has taken up the mantle this season.

However, after the first half of the 2025 F1 season, it’s been a much more frustrating start to life at Maranello than Hamilton would have hoped for.

Aside from a Sprint Race victory in China and a podium in the same format in Miami, Ferrari haven’t lived up to Hamilton’s expectations since his move from Mercedes.

Damon Hill has backed Hamilton to help solve Ferrari’s issues, but Fred Vasseur’s outfit are notorious for developing their car and working in a certain way.

It’s left the 40-year-old still waiting for his first trip to the podium in Ferrari colours, and while Mansell has backed Hamilton to succeed during his time with the team, he’s worried about the progress they’ve failed to make since last season.

Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Nigel Mansell wishes Ferrari would ‘get something back’ after Lewis Hamilton signing

Mansell was speaking on the famous Goodwood Balcony on day three of the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

He was joined by the likes of Jackie Stewart, Mika Hakkinen, Alain Prost and Bernie Ecclestone to greet the crowd who had gathered to watch them take on Goodwood’s famous hill climb.

Mansell was asked about Hamilton’s move to Ferrari and whether he believes it will be a success.

He said: “I think it’s fantastic, he earns in one year what I got, well, I needed another ten years to earn!

“No, Lewis is fantastic, a great world champion, and I wish him and Ferrari well.

“I just wish Ferrari would get something back that they had last year, because they should be competing at the top, and they’ve lost something this winter.”

Ferrari planning updates to Lewis Hamilton’s car before the end of the 2025 F1 season

Ferrari currently sit second in the constructors’ championship, with a narrow lead over Mercedes and Red Bull.

Red Bull’s success relies heavily on whether new team principal Laurent Mekies can help Yuki Tsunoda overcome his issues with the car.

Mercedes star George Russell has already won a race this season and stood on the podium a further four times, potentially making Hamilton question whether he made the right choice to leave.

However, the Scuderia still have a slight advantage thanks to Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

Ferrari are planning on bringing a new rear suspension to the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix.

This could help improve Ferrari’s ride height issues and make the car more stable, especially at high speeds.

Mansell is right to suggest that Ferrari have ‘lost something’ over the winter, given how close they were to McLaren last year.

Hamilton will hope that the work going into their 2026 car could see them rise to the top once again.