Formula 1’s biggest blockbuster move in decades has officially shaken the motorsport world to its core—Lewis Hamilton is now a Ferrari driver.
After an unprecedented 12-year reign with Mercedes, where he cemented himself as a seven-time world champion, Hamilton has made a jaw-dropping switch to Scuderia Ferrari for the 2025 season. His decision isn’t just a career move—it’s a bold, high-stakes gamble that could either rewrite the history books or end in spectacular heartbreak.
And with a staggering contract that could be worth up to $400 million, the stakes have never been higher.
A Leap of Faith—Why Hamilton Walked Away from Mercedes
Hamilton’s shock exit from Mercedes wasn’t just about money—it was about legacy, instinct, and the hunger for new challenges. The 39-year-old British icon admitted his decision was purely a gut feeling—a “total leap of faith.”
“Ultimately, every new opportunity is a total leap of faith. None of us can predict the future, so changing jobs, or in my case teams, is always going to come with some level of risk.”
Hamilton has never been one to play it safe. After dominating with Mercedes, he saw complacency as the enemy—and Ferrari, despite its decades-long struggle for dominance, offered something Mercedes no longer could: the thrill of the unknown.
And make no mistake—this isn’t just any move. This is Hamilton joining Ferrari.
The most successful team in F1 history.
The team that has defined the sport for over 70 years.
The team legends dream of driving for.
Hamilton is now part of that storied red legacy.
The Contract: One of the Biggest in F1 History
Hamilton didn’t just chase the Ferrari dream—he secured one of the most lucrative contracts in the history of Formula 1.
📌 Two-year deal with Ferrari
📌 £100 million total salary (£50 million per year)
📌 Potential total earnings up to $400 million (including bonuses and endorsements)
💰 How does this compare?
Hamilton was already one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. At Mercedes, he was reportedly earning $55 million per year, but Ferrari’s deal blows past that figure.
While exact numbers remain speculative, some sources indicate that bonuses, sponsorship incentives, and Ferrari’s massive marketing machine could catapult Hamilton’s earnings into uncharted territory.
And the business world has taken notice.
Ferrari’s Financial Earthquake: The Hamilton Effect
Lewis Hamilton isn’t just a driver—he’s a global brand. And Ferrari? They just landed one of the most influential athletes on the planet.
🔴 Instagram Dominance – The most-liked F1 Instagram post in history? Hamilton’s Ferrari unveiling. 5.4 million likes.
🔴 Sponsorship Boom – Brands like HP and Shell saw massive valuation spikes after their logos appeared on Hamilton’s Ferrari race suit.
🔴 Merchandise Frenzy – Ferrari’s already iconic red gear is about to hit another level.
📊 Sponsorlytix analysis: The combined brand value of sponsors on Hamilton’s Ferrari debut photo? $400,000+ in exposure—in a single post.
Ferrari isn’t just paying Hamilton—they’re investing in a marketing powerhouse.
First Ferrari Test—And a Familiar Face Returns
Hamilton isn’t wasting time settling into his new kingdom.
🚗 First laps completed in the SF-23 at Ferrari’s Fiorano Circuit—30 laps to get a feel for the machine.
🏎️ Simulator work in Maranello, getting up to speed with Ferrari’s engineers.
👥 Meeting his new team, understanding Ferrari’s operations.
And in a fan-favorite twist—Hamilton has reunited with his former physiotherapist and confidante, Angela Cullen.
Cullen, who was instrumental in Hamilton’s dominance at Mercedes, is expected to bring back the winning formula as he embarks on this high-stakes Ferrari journey.
“There are so many incredible people in the team that I can’t wait to work with, and I have total faith that we’ll achieve great things together.”
Can Hamilton Bring Glory Back to Ferrari?
Here’s the brutal reality—Ferrari hasn’t won an F1 Drivers’ Championship since 2007 (Kimi Räikkönen).
For nearly two decades, the Scuderia has been chasing ghosts, unable to reclaim its once untouchable dominance.
Now, Lewis Hamilton is the man expected to change that.
🔴 If he wins a championship with Ferrari? He’ll become the undisputed greatest of all time—the only man to win titles with three different teams (McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari).
⚠️ If he fails? His legacy remains intact, but Ferrari’s curse continues.
Hamilton has risked everything for this chance. Now, it’s do or die.
Can he finally break Ferrari’s championship drought? The world is watching.
