As 2025 begins, Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited transition to Scuderia Ferrari has formally been realized, marking the tip of a unprecedented period with Mercedes.
The seven-time System 1 world champion had revealed his resolution to hitch Ferrari in February of the earlier 12 months, earlier than he even took to the monitor with Mercedes for the 2024 season. This momentous shift marked the conclusion of a exceptional partnership with the Silver Arrows, a relationship the British driver had been a part of, in varied capacities, since 1998.
Lewis Hamilton’s journey with Mercedes started in 2013, when he made the swap from McLaren. Over time, he amassed six of his seven world titles with the crew, dominating from 2014 to 2020. His time with Mercedes noticed him break quite a few information, together with turning into probably the most profitable driver in F1 historical past, with the best variety of race wins, pole positions, and podium finishes.
His departure from the crew was a poignant second, not just for the workers at Mercedes but in addition for the followers who had adopted his unimaginable journey. In his closing go to to the Brackley manufacturing facility earlier than transferring on to Ferrari, the British driver acquired a heartfelt farewell from Mercedes crew principal Toto Wolff.
Ever since signing his contract with the Italian facet, Lewis Hamilton has been keen to start out this new chapter of his profession with the enduring crew. Much like Carlos Sainz’s transfer to Ferrari in 2021, Lewis Hamilton has been holding non-public conferences with the Scuderia, visiting Maranello and attending to know his new crew members earlier than formally entering into the pink automobile.
In Abu Dhabi, Lewis Hamilton even greeted the Ferrari mechanics in Italian, additional emphasizing his enthusiasm and readiness to start driving for Ferrari. His long-anticipated debut with the crew is now nearby.
Ferrari has scheduled a non-public take a look at for Hamilton at their Fiorano Circuit in January, which will probably be his first official outing with the crew. Nonetheless, the take a look at could also be rescheduled to February on account of opposed climate situations, with the opportunity of it being moved to both Imola or Mugello.
The Maranello-based crew has chosen to conduct this take a look at behind closed doorways to keep away from pointless media consideration, permitting Lewis Hamilton the area to focus solely on adapting to his new crew and automobile. The precedence is for Lewis Hamilton to familiarize himself together with his new setting and set the inspiration for Ferrari’s 2025 title problem.
In his first submit on LinkedIn since his transfer to Ferrari grew to become official in the beginning of the 12 months, Lewis Hamilton expressed his pleasure to start this new chapter. Addressing Ferrari followers, he posted a easy however highly effective message: “Andiamo,” which means “let’s go” in Italian, signaling his readiness to get began with the Maranello crew forward of his first season in pink.
“I couldn’t be extra excited for the 12 months forward. Transferring to Scuderia Ferrari, there’s loads to mirror on. To anybody contemplating their subsequent transfer in 2025: embrace the change,” he wrote – “Whether or not you’re switching industries, studying a brand new ability, and even simply taking up new challenges, keep in mind that reinvention is highly effective. Your subsequent alternative is at all times inside attain. Right here’s to 2025—a 12 months of embracing new alternatives, staying hungry, and driving ahead with objective. Let’s make it one to recollect. Andiamo!”
As Lewis Hamilton prepares to make his extremely anticipated debut with Ferrari, there’s a lingering query: will the difficulties he confronted with Mercedes through the floor impact period comply with him to his new crew?
Whereas Lewis Hamilton’s exceptional achievements with Mercedes can’t be overshadowed, his current struggles elevate issues about how he’ll adapt to Ferrari. The 39-year-old driver went by way of a difficult interval, not securing a race victory till 2023, when he clinched two wins at Silverstone and Spa. His efficiency through the 2024 season, nonetheless, was notably disappointing, as he completed a career-low seventh within the championship standings. So as to add to the frustration, Lewis Hamilton was decisively outperformed by his teammate George Russell, and qualifying grew to become a big challenge for him. The seven-time world champion discovered himself unable to extract the tempo required to carry out effectively over a single lap, and he even did not make it previous Q1 on 4 events. Recognizing the issue, the British driver has been proactive in addressing his qualifying points, explaining to Ferrari crew principal Frederic Vasseur precisely what went fallacious in an effort to repair the scenario for his future with the Scuderia.
Although Lewis Hamilton’s time at Mercedes ended on a less-than-ideal notice, there have been nonetheless moments that showcased his plain expertise. One of many standout performances was his unimaginable drive in Abu Dhabi, the place he made a exceptional restoration from sixteenth to 4th place, proving that his aggressive edge continues to be very a lot intact.
Wanting forward, Ferrari is decided to enhance on their 2024 season, the place they narrowly misplaced the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren. With Lewis Hamilton now desirous to embrace this contemporary problem and Ferrari bolstering their lineup with each him and Charles Leclerc, the crew’s prospects for 2025 are extra promising than ever. The formidable duo of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc represents a potent mixture, as each drivers convey distinctive ability and starvation for achievement to the crew, aiming to take the Maranello crew again to the highest.
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