Lewis Hamilton is set to join Ferrari in 2025, marking the end of a remarkable 12-year tenure with Mercedes.
Since arriving at the Silver Arrows in 2013, the British driver has shattered countless records. Between 2014 and 2020, Lewis Hamilton claimed six of his seven world championships, played a pivotal role in securing eight consecutive constructors’ titles for Mercedes, and established himself as the most successful driver in Formula 1 history in terms of race wins.
Next season, the 39-year-old will don Ferrari red, partnering with Charles Leclerc and replacing Carlos Sainz, who will move to Williams on a multi-year deal starting in 2025.
Speculation has grown over when Lewis Hamilton might have his first chance to drive for Ferrari before the new season begins. Mercedes, enforcing the terms of his existing contract, denied him an opportunity to test at the Abu Dhabi post-season session following the 2024 finale. However, Ferrari plans to give the British driver his first outing at their Fiorano Circuit in January, with contingency dates lined up in February should their initial schedule face delays.
Ahead of his formal transition, Lewis Hamilton has already visited Maranello, engaging in discreet preparations reminiscent of Carlos Sainz’s behind-the-scenes meetings prior to his own move to Ferrari from McLaren in 2021.
The switch of the seven-time Formula 1 world champion to Ferrari follows a challenging final season with Mercedes, where he endured the lowest championship finish of his career, placing seventh overall. While he managed two race victories in 2024—his first wins since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix—Hamilton struggled for consistency, particularly in qualifying. Teammate George Russell consistently outperformed him across both Saturdays and Sundays, ending the season 22 points ahead in the standings.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner weighed in on Lewis Hamilton’s move, suggesting that Ferrari could provide the reset the veteran driver needs. Horner described Lewis Hamilton’s recent performances with Mercedes during the ground-effect era as “very flat” and speculated that the shift to Ferrari might offer the revitalization required to reignite his Formula 1 career.
In a recent interview for talkSPORT Driving, Christian Horner explained: “Lewis, that’s a big move. He’s been with the Mercedes family his entire career, so to step out of that into arguably the biggest brand in Formula 1, Ferrari. It’s a great story for Formula 1 and it could be just the revitalisation of Lewis that he’s been looking for. He’s looked very flat the last three years and perhaps that relationship became a little stale. Lewis, he’s the most successful driver in the history of the sport and driving a Ferrari next year, [he] could well be a serious competitor.” – the British motorsport executive and former racing driver continued.
Can Lewis Hamilton contend for the 2025 championship with Ferrari?
Heading into next season, Lewis Hamilton can take encouragement from Ferrari’s promising form during the 2024 campaign, particularly in its final stages.
Although the Scuderia narrowly missed out on the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren by a slim margin of just 14 points, the SF-24 demonstrated impressive one-lap speed and solid race pace. These strengths provide a strong platform for the team to improve upon as they develop their 2025 challenger.
However, questions remain about whether Lewis Hamilton can thrive at Ferrari, given his underwhelming season with Mercedes in 2024 and the formidable challenge posed by Charles Leclerc as his teammate. Many wonder if the 39-year-old, entering a new chapter in his illustrious career, can rise to the occasion under the pressure of competing alongside Ferrari’s star driver.
Despite these doubts, the British driver has shown flashes of his old brilliance, even in a difficult year. One standout moment came in Abu Dhabi, where the seven-time world champion delivered a masterful drive. Starting from 16th on the grid, the Brit fought through the field to claim a remarkable fourth-place finish, reminding everyone of the talent that earned him his place in F1 history.
As he prepares to embark on this new venture with Scuderia Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton will aim to channel that same determination and skill to make the most of a car that could be capable of challenging for championship glory.
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