As 2025 begins, Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited transition to Scuderia Ferrari has officially been realized, marking the end of an extraordinary era with Mercedes.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion had revealed his decision to join Ferrari in February of the previous year, before he even took to the track with Mercedes for the 2024 season. This momentous shift marked the conclusion of a remarkable partnership with the Silver Arrows, a relationship the British driver had been part of, in various capacities, since 1998.
Lewis Hamilton’s journey with Mercedes began in 2013, when he made the switch from McLaren. Over the years, he amassed six of his seven world titles with the team, dominating from 2014 to 2020. His time with Mercedes saw him break numerous records, including becoming the most successful driver in F1 history, with the highest number of race wins, pole positions, and podium finishes.
His departure from the team was a poignant moment, not only for the employees at Mercedes but also for the fans who had followed his incredible journey. In his final visit to the Brackley factory before moving on to Ferrari, the British driver received a heartfelt farewell from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
Ever since signing his contract with the Italian side, Lewis Hamilton has been eager to start this new chapter of his career with the iconic team. Similar to Carlos Sainz’s move to Ferrari in 2021, Lewis Hamilton has been holding private meetings with the Scuderia, visiting Maranello and getting to know his new team members before officially stepping into the red car.
In Abu Dhabi, Lewis Hamilton even greeted the Ferrari mechanics in Italian, further emphasizing his enthusiasm and readiness to begin driving for Ferrari. His long-anticipated debut with the team is now within sight.
Ferrari has scheduled a private test for Hamilton at their Fiorano Circuit in January, which will be his first official outing with the team. However, the test may be rescheduled to February due to adverse weather conditions, with the possibility of it being moved to either Imola or Mugello.
The Maranello-based team has chosen to conduct this test behind closed doors to avoid unnecessary media attention, allowing Lewis Hamilton the space to focus solely on adapting to his new team and car. The priority is for Lewis Hamilton to familiarize himself with his new environment and set the foundation for Ferrari’s 2025 title challenge.
In his first post on LinkedIn since his move to Ferrari became official at the start of the year, Lewis Hamilton expressed his excitement to begin this new chapter. Addressing Ferrari fans, he posted a simple but powerful message: “Andiamo,” meaning “let’s go” in Italian, signaling his readiness to get started with the Maranello team ahead of his first season in red.
“I could not be more excited for the year ahead. Moving to Scuderia Ferrari, there’s a lot to reflect on. To anyone considering their next move in 2025: embrace the change,” he wrote – “Whether you’re switching industries, learning a new skill, or even just taking on new challenges, remember that reinvention is powerful. Your next opportunity is always within reach. Here’s to 2025—a year of embracing new opportunities, staying hungry, and driving forward with purpose. Let’s make it one to remember. Andiamo!”
As Lewis Hamilton prepares to make his highly anticipated debut with Ferrari, there is a lingering question: will the difficulties he faced with Mercedes during the ground effect era follow him to his new team?
While Lewis Hamilton’s remarkable achievements with Mercedes cannot be overshadowed, his recent struggles raise concerns about how he will adapt to Ferrari. The 39-year-old driver went through a challenging period, not securing a race victory until 2023, when he clinched two wins at Silverstone and Spa. His performance during the 2024 season, however, was notably disappointing, as he finished a career-low seventh in the championship standings. To add to the frustration, Lewis Hamilton was decisively outperformed by his teammate George Russell, and qualifying became a significant issue for him. The seven-time world champion found himself unable to extract the pace required to perform well over a single lap, and he even failed to make it past Q1 on four occasions. Recognizing the problem, the British driver has been proactive in addressing his qualifying issues, explaining to Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur exactly what went wrong in an effort to fix the situation for his future with the Scuderia.
Though Lewis Hamilton’s time at Mercedes ended on a less-than-ideal note, there were still moments that showcased his undeniable talent. One of the standout performances was his incredible drive in Abu Dhabi, where he made a remarkable recovery from 16th to 4th place, proving that his competitive edge is still very much intact.
Looking ahead, Ferrari is determined to improve on their 2024 season, where they narrowly lost the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren. With Lewis Hamilton now eager to embrace this fresh challenge and Ferrari bolstering their lineup with both him and Charles Leclerc, the team’s prospects for 2025 are more promising than ever. The formidable duo of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc represents a potent combination, as both drivers bring exceptional skill and hunger for success to the team, aiming to take the Maranello team back to the top.
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