Jose Mourinho has turned to F1 legend Lewis Hamilton to protect SL Benfica’s reputation, hitting back at claims by Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas that the Lisbon giants have “started late” in the title race.
Speaking ahead of Benfica’s game against Braga on December 28, Mourinho insisted Hamilton’s history and legacy outweighed any short-term struggles, pointing to Hamilton’s seven world championships despite their lack of dominance in recent seasons.
“Lewis Hamilton came late to the last two F1 World Championships but won seven or eight times. He came late but is the driver who has won the most championships,” Mourinho said, pointing out the similarities between Benfica’s illustrious past and Hamilton’s enduring greatness.
Sporting, who ended a decades-long wait by winning back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025, are trying to position Benfica as a side that is too slow to get back on track. However, Benfica remains Portugal’s most successful club, having won 38 national championships compared to 21 for Sporting. Manager Mourinho insisted that such a background cannot be ignored.
Like Benfica, Hamilton have struggled in recent years.
Hamilton’s career illustrates that point. His record for most wins, pole positions, podiums and career points remains unparalleled in F1 history, but his recent campaigns have been challenging.
His final season with Mercedes in 2024 saw him finish seventh overall, his lowest ever, despite two wins and five podiums. His first year at Ferrari in 2025 was even tougher, as he finished sixth in the standings with 156 points, missing out on the podium for the first time in his career.
Ferrari, on the other hand, were winless and finished behind Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes in the constructors’ standings.
Mourinho’s admiration for Hamilton and Ferrari is long-standing. He is a frequent visitor to the paddock, and at Silverstone earlier this year Hamilton welcomed him and his family into the Scuderia’s garage.
Mourinho, similarities between Real Madrid and Ferrari
Coach Mourinho reflected on Ferrari’s status and compared the team to Real Madrid. “Ferrari is the Real Madrid of Formula 1. At Real, they say you’ve already won 1-0 when you put on the white jersey.
“It’s the same with Ferrari. Stepping onto the track is a victory. But wearing red is a dream, but also a great responsibility.”
As Ferrari shifted resources to 2026 development, the responsibility fell heavily on 2025, leaving Hamilton and Charles Leclerc with inconsistent cars.
Still, Hamilton provided a reminder of his resilience by finishing fourth at Silverstone in difficult conditions. It’s a lesson Mourinho believes applies to Benfica as well. History and greatness persist even when the present seems slow.
