Paul Merson compares Ferrari to Man Utd in Lewis Hamilton analysis on Sky Sports

01 February 2024 , 22:33

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Paul Merson compares Ferrari to Man Utd in Lewis Hamilton analysis on Sky Sports

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson compared Lewis Hamilton's decision to join Ferrari to a footballer signing for Manchester United in a bizarre bit of analysis following the Formula 1 icon's blockbuster move.

Sky Sports' afternoon coverage of football's transfer deadline day ended up focusing more on Hamilton's shock decision to join the Italian team in 2025. The 39-year-old Brit will race one more campaign for Mercedes, who he joined 11 years ago, before donning the famous scarlet red of Ferrari.

Merson was in the Sky Sports studio and got discussing Hamilton's switch, suggesting that United's lack of success over the past decade mirrors Ferrari's. "They're not the dominant one. It's a bit like playing for Man United," the ex-midfielder explained.

"If Man United come for you, one of the biggest clubs in the world, not doing great now, but how do you turn them down? And that's probably the thing with Ferrari, it's the name. Everyone wants a Ferrari, don't they!"

Viewers weren't impressed with what Sky had to offer during what was arguably the most boring deadline day in recent years. Those on social media made sure to say so, too, with one fan posting: "This might be the worst deadline day, they even got Merse talking F1."

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Another joked: "Bro compared driving for Ferrari to playing for Man Utd haha. The disrespect is wild." A third went down a more positive route, saying: "Lewis Hamilton's aura is insane. No other athlete gets mentioned like this on deadline day." A fourth brutally quipped: "Paul Merson ranks just above Liz Truss in terms of opinions we need on Hamilton moving to Ferrari."

Your turn! Which football transfer would you equate Lewis Hamilton's move to? Join the debate in the comments section.

Hamilton's move was later confirmed by Ferrari, and the seven-time world champion - who's won six of them with Mercedes - announced in a statement: "I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I'm so proud of what we have achieved together. Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old.

"It's a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. But the time is right for me to take this step and I'm excited to be taking on a new challenge.

"I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto (Wolff, Mercedes' team principal) for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together. I am 100 per cent committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember."

Nathan Ridley