The Formula 1 community was caught by surprise when Hamilton made the unexpected move to Ferrari in early February. This decision was a shock, especially considering his previous statements about ending his career with Mercedes. Hamilton has now provided more details about his choice to join Ferrari in 2025, shedding light on what influenced his decision after signing a contract with Mercedes last summer. The seven-time world champion also spoke about his relationship with Scuderia boss Fred Vasseur and expressed his desire to end his time with the Silver Arrows on a positive note.
Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari caught the Formula 1 world off guard. Despite indicating previously that he would retire with Mercedes, Hamilton signed a new contract with the team in the summer of 2023, extending his stay until the end of 2025. However, he activated a termination clause in his contract, allowing him to join Ferrari in the following season, after his final year with Mercedes in 2024.
During pre-season testing in Bahrain, Hamilton spoke positively about his first experiences with the new Mercedes car, the W15. However, outside the cockpit, the 39-year-old driver faced numerous questions about his upcoming move to the red team. Reflecting on his decision to switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, Hamilton explained that an opportunity arose in the new year and he decided to seize it, despite previously envisioning his future with Mercedes when he signed the contract.
Hamilton expressed his excitement to join Ferrari on social media, describing it as a chance to fulfill a childhood dream. He also elaborated on this feeling during his time in Bahrain. The move to Ferrari reunites Hamilton with Fred Vasseur, with whom he had previously worked during his rise through the junior categories. Their relationship began during their time together in Formula 3 and GP2, and they have remained in contact since.
Learning Italian for his new team is a priority for Hamilton. Despite not having mastered any other language over all these years, he expressed his determination to try. Additionally, Hamilton emphasized the importance of diversity within the team. He expressed pride in the progress Mercedes has made in this area and stated his intention to continue advocating for diversity in Formula 1, even during his time at Ferrari.
While Hamilton looks to the future with Ferrari, he remains fully committed to the ongoing season with Mercedes. His goal is to end his tenure with the team on a high note.
