As 2025 begins, Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited transition to Scuderia Ferrari has formally been realized, marking the top of a rare period with Mercedes.
The seven-time Method 1 world champion had revealed his determination to affix 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 exceptional partnership with the Silver Arrows, a relationship the British driver had been a part of, in varied capacities, since 1998.
Lewis Hamilton’s journey with Mercedes started in 2013, when he made the change from McLaren. Over time, he amassed six of his seven world titles with the workforce, dominating from 2014 to 2020. His time with Mercedes noticed him break quite a few information, together with turning into probably the most profitable driver in F1 historical past, with the best variety of race wins, pole positions, and podium finishes.
His departure from the workforce was a poignant second, not just for the staff at Mercedes but additionally for the followers who had adopted his unbelievable journey. In his ultimate go to to the Brackley manufacturing facility earlier than shifting on to Ferrari, the British driver acquired a heartfelt farewell from Mercedes workforce principal Toto Wolff.
Ever since signing his contract with the Italian aspect, Lewis Hamilton has been keen to begin this new chapter of his profession with the enduring workforce. Much like Carlos Sainz’s transfer to Ferrari in 2021, Lewis Hamilton has been holding personal conferences with the Scuderia, visiting Maranello and attending to know his new workforce members earlier than formally entering into the pink 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 workforce is now nearby.
Ferrari has scheduled a non-public check for Hamilton at their Fiorano Circuit in January, which will likely be his first official outing with the workforce. Nonetheless, the check could also be rescheduled to February attributable to antagonistic climate circumstances, with the potential of it being moved to both Imola or Mugello.
The Maranello-based workforce has chosen to conduct this check behind closed doorways to keep away from pointless media consideration, permitting Lewis Hamilton the area to focus solely on adapting to his new workforce and automobile. The precedence is for Lewis Hamilton to familiarize himself together with his new setting and set the muse for Ferrari’s 2025 title problem.
In his first publish on LinkedIn since his transfer to Ferrari turned official in the beginning 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,” which means “let’s go” in Italian, signaling his readiness to get began with the Maranello workforce forward of his first season in pink.
“I couldn’t be extra excited for the 12 months forward. Transferring to Scuderia Ferrari, there’s quite a bit to mirror 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 up new challenges, keep in mind that reinvention is highly effective. Your subsequent alternative is all the time 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 in the course of the floor impact period comply with him to his new workforce?
Whereas Lewis Hamilton’s exceptional achievements with Mercedes can’t be overshadowed, his latest struggles increase considerations about how he’ll adapt to Ferrari. The 39-year-old driver went via a difficult interval, not securing a race victory till 2023, when he clinched two wins at Silverstone and Spa. His efficiency in the course of 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 turned a major concern for him. The seven-time world champion discovered himself unable to extract the tempo required to carry out nicely 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 workforce principal Frederic Vasseur precisely what went improper in an effort to repair the state of affairs 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 simple expertise. One of many standout performances was his unbelievable drive in Abu Dhabi, the place he made a exceptional 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 wanting to embrace this contemporary problem and Ferrari bolstering their lineup with each him and Charles Leclerc, the workforce’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 convey distinctive talent and starvation for fulfillment to the workforce, aiming to take the Maranello workforce again to the highest.
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