Written by Athia
Lewis Hamilton and Frédéric Vasseur, Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal
(source : https://cdn-4.motorsport.com/images/amp/YBenzeJ2/s1200/lewis-hamilton-mercedes-amg-3r.webp)
103 race wins, 197 podium finishes, 104 pole positions, 6 grand slams; these record numbers belong to none other than Lewis Hamilton, Sir Lewis Hamilton to be precise. Hamilton entered Formula 1 in 2007, at 22 years old racing alongside Fernando Alonso in the Mclaren Formula 1 Team. And it’s safe to say that he had one of the greatest if not the greatest rookie season in the history of Formula 1 by finishing second in the driver’s standings, just 4 points behind the 2007 world champion Kimi Räikkönen of Scuderia Ferrari.
At just 23 years old, Hamilton became the youngest (at that time) Formula 1 world champion in 2008. But sadly, his time in Mclaren ended in 2012 as he embarked on a new journey by joining Mercedes in 2013, and the rest is history. For the past 11 seasons, Hamilton secured 6 world titles and numerous records under the German owned team also known as the Silver Arrows. Beyond number and statistics, Hamilton’s impact on Formula 1 extends far beyond the racetrack. He is the sport’s first and only black driver, and has used his large platform to advocate inclusivity, diversity, and many more. So it’s not a surprise that for many, Hamilton isn't just an ordinary Formula 1 driver but can be considered as one of the greatest drivers the sport has ever seen.
On February 1st 2024, After spending 12 seasons in Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton is set to move to Scuderia Ferrari from the start of the 2025 season, a move that sent shockwaves to the world. The greatest driver with his last win back in 2021 joining the most successful team in Formula 1 whose last constructors championship was back in 2008. But this news has brought many fans to wonder why Hamilton thinks it’s a good idea to switch teams after 12 long years.
Back in 2013, Hamilton wasn’t afraid to take the risk of leaving Mclaren for Mercedes, so this isn’t something new for him. The 2022 and 2023 season has been brutal for the English born driver as he failed to achieve a win in both years. But Hamilton has always trusted the people behind the Silver Arrows, but as the team struggle continues, it was hard to convince Hamilton that things would be better quickly. This is when the Scuderia Ferrari masterplan starts. They showed Hamilton their aim and long-term development for the 2025 season onwards. With an offer of more than $400million, Hamilton was swayed.
(From the left) Lewis Hamilton, Oliver Bearman, Charles LeclercSource : https://i.pinimg.com/736x/10/ac/c8/10acc8234ff747e5bfbc8aadef0e244f.jpg
Although Hamilton is completely aware of Scuderia Ferrari’s ups and downs for the last couple of years, it’s not a surprise that even driving in red is one of Hamilton’s childhood dreams. Just like what Sebastian Vettel used to say “Everyone is a Ferrari fan, even if they say they’re not, they are Ferrari fans.” Even with numerous backlash from fans around the world, Hamilton believes that his decision to move to Ferrari is what is best and that he’s happy with the move.
But at the end of the day, Lewis Hamilton is still a Mercedes driver for the rest of the 2024 season and his move to Ferrari won’t reduce his motivation to still give his best performance on track for the rest of the season. “We are all mega-motivated for the year ahead and will be giving it everything we’ve got on the journey ahead.” Hamilton quoted. The 2024 season will be his last season in the Silver Arrows team and the 2025 season will be the starting point of his new journey with the Prancing Horse of Italy where he’ll race alongside Charles Leclerc who had also re-signed a multiyear contract with the Italian team at the end of January 2024.
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