Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari: Charles Leclerc accepted challenge and approved move. Charles Leclerc's favorable opinion was required for Ferrari to sign Lewis Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton will be a Ferrari driver starting from 2025. The seven-time world champion from Mercedes will thus leave Mercedes at the end of the year and become Charles Leclerc’s teammate in Maranello. Carlos Sainz’s experience at Ferrari will also come to an end after the 2024 Formula 1 championship.

Lewis Hamilton’s arrival completes Ferrari’s moves. First, the multi-year renewal of Charles Leclerc, almost a lifelong commitment, and now the signing of the most iconic and successful driver in the Circus. A symbolic figure, as well as a champion, who adds image and experience and emphasizes how much Maranello wants to send a strong signal. Ferrari, at the same time, gains an immensely valuable asset and weakens one of its rivals, Mercedes, by taking away a wealth of expertise.

Other side effects: his arrival will bring a transfer of top technicians. At the same time, Mercedes will have to manage a driver separated at home, effectively favoring choices in favor of only George Russell.

Lewis Hamilton had signed a two-year deal with the Stuttgart-based team in August. To terminate it, he had to invoke a clause that allowed for early separation. He will receive a figure estimated at over 50 million for a two-year duration. Carlos Sainz’s contract is expiring, and he will be on the market at the end of the year (heading to Sauber, awaiting Audi’s arrival). The Spanish driver was waiting for an offer from Ferrari.

Many pieces needed to be put together. Charles Leclerc’s favorable opinion was required, even if no one will admit it. The Monegasque driver accepted the challenge. His new teammate will be 40 years old in 2025, still with great talent to squeeze out, but at the same time, he can accept the comparison with the younger prodigy with a certain maturity.

Lewis Hamilton has won 103 races in 332 GPs (debuting in 2007) and 7 titles: 6 with Mercedes and one, the first, with the McLaren powered by Mercedes. This emphasizes how strong his bond is with his current team. Joining Ferrari is his last chance to surpass Michael Schumacher’s seven world championships. Lewis has never hidden his attraction to the Scuderia, sealed in visits to Maranello as a customer of their road cars, but he was waiting for a winning project. The last two seasons made him realize that his time with Mercedes is ending. The future is in Italy, Maranello, in the province of Modena. The capital of motorsport.