Lewis Hamilton's impending move to Ferrari is set to bring even more excitement to Formula 1 next season.

That's the belief of his former title rival Felipe Massa, who also raced for the Prancing Horse.

In a move that stunned the sporting world, Mercedes pilot Hamilton all parties announced a switch to the legendary Italian constructor just weeks before the new season got under way.

After a torrid couple of seasons in an uncompetitive car, the seven-time title winner will be hoping for better days come 2025.

And Massa, who tussled with the Brit from 2007 to 2017, can't wait to see him get going - and believes his new teammate Charles Leclerc might be in for a tough time.

"For next year it will be a big change in Ferrari with Lewis deciding to move from Mercedes," Massa told talkSPORT.

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"I think that's really nice, it's really interesting. Even for the marketing. Everyone is talking about that.

"It will definitely be nice to see Lewis with the red suit in the red car.

"I think the fans are getting crazy for that. I hope that he can have a competitive car because Ferrari haven't had the right car to fight Red Bull. Let's see if they are going to make it.

"And also let's see how it's going to be with Lewis driving for Ferrari, it will be interesting to see him with Charles. It will be a good battle between them.

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"But I'm happy, it will be nice for Formula 1, it will be nice for the sport as well."

At the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix there was another Brit piloting a Ferrari, though, with 18-year-old Oliver Bearman getting a shock drive.

With Carlos Sainz out due to a medical emergency, the Essex teen stepped up to take the seat.

He performed impressively too, finishing ahead of compatriots Hamilton and Lando Norris in seventh, earning him six points in the championship.

And Massa was delighted for Bearman, who feels he could be a regular fixture in F1 next season.

Asked about how well the starlet did, he replied: "Especially when you don't do the first session or the first day of testing and then you're just starting on Saturday with the practice session and then the qualifying straight away. It's not enough mileage to understand the car or the track.

"I think he did really well. I mean, scoring points on his first race but also doing some nice overtaking, not making any mistakes. It was very nice to see him with the Ferrari car.

"I really hope he can have that opportunity again in the future to be racing in Formula 1.

Asked about the potential of driving for Haas, he add: "You never know, he did a good show, this is important.

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"We saw that Nyck De Vries had a race with Williams, scored points, raced the year after with Alpha Tauri, so you never know. Maybe he can be a good opportunity for a team like Haas."

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