Formula One legend Johnny Herbert reckons Lewis Hamilton has had an absolutely miserable time at Ferrari this year, but believes Christian Horner could be the man to put a smile back on his face.
"I've never seen him as grumpy," the former F1 driver said exclusively to talkSPORT.
"So there is that frustration that he's having at Ferrari at the moment."
Herbert pointed out that Hamilton is clearly unhappy with how he's been performing, which has made for tough viewing.
Lewis Hamilton has had a miserable year at Ferrari
| REUTERS"He's frustrated with his own performances," Herbert added.
The 40-year-old wrapped up what he himself called his "worst season ever" with an eighth-place finish in Abu Dhabi, marking the first time in his two-decade career that he failed to secure a single podium in a main race.
Should Ferrari's fortunes fail to improve next season, Herbert believes there's one man who could potentially restore the Italian team to their former glory – Christian Horner.
The former Red Bull boss, who parted ways with the team last summer, boasts an incredible track record with eight drivers' titles and six constructors' championships under his belt.
Herbert, who once raced alongside Michael Schumacher, suggested the Prancing Horse might benefit from Horner's expertise if results don't pick up.
Christian Horner has been tipped to return to F1 with Ferrari
| REUTERS"Would Christian be that person who could attract the right personnel that you need to be able to achieve a championship-winning constructor, but more importantly, the drivers one," Herbert mused to talkSPORT.
It's worth noting that Horner was heavily linked with replacing team principal Frederic Vasseur back in July before Vasseur penned a fresh contract.
Despite enduring his toughest campaign statistically, Herbert insists Hamilton hasn't lost his fire and remains committed to the sport.
"He's still got the desire because if he had lost that desire, I think he would have walked away. But he's still got that determination," Herbert explained.
The Brit has had to watch teammate Charles Leclerc consistently outpace him throughout the year, with the Monegasque driver managing to secure podium finishes while Hamilton struggled.
"He's also looking across the garage and seeing Charles Leclerc actually being able to dig out some podium finishes and generally be faster than Lewis throughout the season. But he wants to put that right, and I understand that," Herbert noted.
Hamilton has confirmed he'll be back for 2026, putting retirement speculation to bed.
Lewis Hamilton did not secure a single podium finish this season
|REUTERS
Herbert acknowledged that Hamilton faces a formidable challenge if he's to claim that elusive eighth world title, with a wave of talented youngsters breathing down his neck.
"But he's going to have to work very hard for it because there's a very, very tough generation with Lando Norris now winning his first world championship. Max Verstappen, we know how strong he's going to be," Herbert said.
The former FIA steward also highlighted the emerging talent set to make life difficult for the sport's elder statesmen.
"But also his team-mate, as well as the younger generations, [Kimi] Antonelli, [Arvid] Lindblad, Isack Hadjar, moving up to Red Bull, that are going to be very tough for the elder statesmen of Formula 1," he added.