Lewis Hamilton is undeniably confident in his decision to transition from Mercedes to Ferrari, expressing that he is in the “perfect place” at the “ideal time”. As he gears up for his debut season with Ferrari, Hamilton reflects on his 12-year tenure and six World titles with Mercedes, which contributed to his impressive total of seven championships.
Despite his illustrious career, securing an eighth title has been elusive since his defeat to Max Verstappen in 2021. Over the past three years, Mercedes’ performance in the Formula 1’s ground-effect aerodynamic era has been underwhelming, with Hamilton clinching only two Grand Prix victories. His triumphs at the British and Belgian races last season, including one that ended his 945-day victory drought, could not prevent Mercedes from lagging behind Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship. The 184-point deficit to Ferrari was a stark contrast to the Scuderia’s impressive 652 points.
Ferrari’s five wins last season and near-miss in the Constructors’ Championship, losing to McLaren by just 14 points, marked a significant improvement. This upward trajectory has only strengthened Hamilton’s conviction in his choice. “I am 100 per cent certain that I made the right decision switching to Ferrari. I harbor no doubts or questions,” Hamilton said. “It’s an incredible privilege to be part of this team, to contribute to its rich history and legacy.”
Hamilton’s enthusiasm was palpable as he shared his excitement about wearing red for the first time at the F1 75 launch event and his unique experience interacting with fans as a Ferrari driver. He is eagerly looking forward to embarking on this new journey with the team and the fans.
Hamilton had a chance to test drive the 2023 Ferrari F1 car, a modified version of the ’24 model during the pre-season, and recently, the Scuderia’s 2025 car, the SF-25. This inaugural drive with team-mate Charles Leclerc attracted thousands of Ferrari fans, with one even chopping down a tree for an unhindered view of the track.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari unites the most lauded driver in F1 history, boasting 105 race wins and seven titles, with the sport’s most triumphant team. He is set to make his first Grand Prix appearance in Ferrari red next month at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from 14-16 March.
Hamilton is already working on setting up the car, aiming to avoid spending the first six months of the race season fine-tuning it. “We’ve put in a significant amount of work to speed up the process of understanding each other’s work styles. Trust and relationships take time to build, but every day is exciting. I wake up with anticipation every day,” Hamilton shared.
Hamilton’s next opportunity to drive the SF-25 will be during the pre-season testing at the Bahrain circuit from 26-28 February. He is gearing up for the F1 2025 championship, ready to make his mark with Ferrari.
