Lewis Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari marks a significant shift in Formula 1 as one of the sport’s most celebrated drivers moves to one of its most iconic teams. Here’s the latest on this development:
Hamilton began his journey with Ferrari in early January 2025, arriving at Ferrari’s Maranello factory for his first official day. He was welcomed by team principal Fred Vasseur and Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna among others. There, he engaged in initial team meetings and got acquainted with his new environment, including a visit to the Fiorano track where he would later test drive.
On January 22, 2025, Hamilton drove a Ferrari for the first time in an official capacity at the Fiorano circuit. This moment was captured and shared widely, symbolizing the beginning of a new era for both Hamilton and Ferrari. He completed 30 laps in a 2023 Ferrari car, limited by F1 regulations to 1,000 km for testing purposes.
Hamilton joins Charles Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari since before his F1 debut in 2019. This pairing is anticipated to be closely analyzed, especially in terms of performance and team dynamics. Leclerc has had a strong presence at Ferrari, winning races and finishing high in the championship standings.
Public and Fan Reaction
The transition has been met with excitement and high expectations from fans, especially Ferrari’s passionate supporters, the tifosi. There’s considerable anticipation around how Hamilton will perform with Ferrari and whether this move will lead to his eighth world championship title, breaking the tie with Michael Schumacher.
In honor of Hamilton’s arrival, Ferrari planned a special livery reveal for the 2025 season, featuring a darker shade of red compared to previous years, symbolizing the start of this new chapter. The car is set to be officially unveiled in Maranello on February 19, 2025, followed by pre-season testing in Bahrain from February 26-28.
While Hamilton has a wealth of experience, adapting to a new team, particularly Ferrari with its unique culture and systems, presents challenges. Despite this, there’s an optimistic outlook, with team principal Fred Vasseur expressing confidence in Hamilton’s ability to integrate swiftly.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was officially announced in February 2024, with him securing a multi-year contract to drive for the team starting from the 2025 season. This move ends his 12-year tenure with Mercedes, where he won six of his seven world championships.
This move is seen not just as a personal challenge for Hamilton but also as a strategic move for Ferrari, aiming to return to the top of the championship standings, which they have not achieved since 2007 in the drivers’ category and 2008 in the constructors’. The combination of Hamilton’s experience and Ferrari’s historic prestige has set high expectations for the 2025 season.
