As 2025 begins, Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited transition to Scuderia Ferrari has formally been realized, marking the top of a unprecedented period with Mercedes.
The seven-time Formulation 1 world champion had revealed his choice to hitch Ferrari in February of the earlier 12 months, earlier than he even took to the observe with Mercedes for the 2024 season. This momentous shift marked the conclusion of a outstanding partnership with the Silver Arrows, a relationship the British driver had been a part of, in numerous capacities, since 1998.
Lewis Hamilton’s journey with Mercedes started in 2013, when he made the swap from McLaren. Through the years, 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 data, together with changing into essentially 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 unbelievable journey. In his closing go to to the Brackley manufacturing facility earlier than shifting on to Ferrari, the British driver obtained a heartfelt farewell from Mercedes crew principal Toto Wolff.
Ever since signing his contract with the Italian facet, Lewis Hamilton has been keen to begin this new chapter of his profession with the long-lasting crew. Just 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 purple 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 check for Hamilton at their Fiorano Circuit in January, which can be his first official outing with the crew. Nevertheless, the check could also be rescheduled to February on account of opposed climate situations, with the potential for it being moved to both Imola or Mugello.
The Maranello-based crew has chosen to conduct this check behind closed doorways to keep away from pointless media consideration, permitting Lewis Hamilton the house to focus solely on adapting to his new crew and automobile. The precedence is for Lewis Hamilton to familiarize himself together with his new surroundings and set the muse for Ferrari’s 2025 title problem.
In his first submit on LinkedIn since his transfer to Ferrari grew to become official initially 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,” that means “let’s go” in Italian, signaling his readiness to get began with the Maranello crew forward of his first season in purple.
“I couldn’t be extra excited for the 12 months forward. Shifting to Scuderia Ferrari, there’s loads to replicate 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 talent, and even simply taking over new challenges, do not forget 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 throughout the floor impact period comply with him to his new crew?
Whereas Lewis Hamilton’s outstanding achievements with Mercedes can’t be overshadowed, his latest 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 throughout 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 major difficulty 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 didn’t 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 flawed 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 observe, there have been nonetheless moments that showcased his plain expertise. One of many standout performances was his unbelievable drive in Abu Dhabi, the place he made a outstanding 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 deliver distinctive talent and starvation for achievement to the crew, aiming to take the Maranello crew again to the highest.
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