The greatest Formula 1 driver of this era and the most renowned team in the sport, united in what is likely to be Lewis Hamilton’s final chapter in F1 at Ferrari.
Regardless of how it unfolds, this partnership is a perfect match and comes as no surprise considering the decline of the once dominant Mercedes team, which has provided Hamilton with a car that has failed to secure a single victory in the past three seasons, leaving no hope for the once mighty German team.
The announcement on 1 February caused a surge in Ferrari stocks, as the reality of the situation sank in. This is undoubtedly the biggest coup for John Elkann, Fred Vassuer, and the entire Scuderia.
When asked about his decision to leave Mercedes, after such a long and successful tenure, and join Ferrari, Hamilton confidently responded during a press conference ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix: “I don’t need validation for my decision. I know what’s best for me, and that hasn’t changed since the moment I made up my mind.”
Similar to his move from McLaren to Mercedes, where he proved the critics wrong, Hamilton has once again chosen the perfect time to part ways with the team in its current state. The British driver emphasized, “I have never doubted my decision, and I am not influenced by other people’s opinions.”
While this website celebrates Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for the 2025 season as the “F1 News of the Century,” there are inevitably skeptics who believe he could disrupt the harmony at Maranello. The decision to retain Charles Leclerc and replace Carlos Sainz to accommodate Hamilton has not been universally well-received.
Hamilton acknowledged this, stating, “Even today, there are people who continue to criticize and will do so throughout the year. I just have to focus on what I do. Only you can know what’s right for you, and this is an exciting time for me.”
Since his debut in 2007 with McLaren as the works team, Hamilton has been associated with Mercedes, who have powered his career in F1. During this time, he has achieved an impressive record of 103 Grand Prix victories, 104 pole positions, and seven world titles. All of these accomplishments were earned with the iconic Tri-Star emblem on his racing suit.
At the age of 39, Hamilton is now the second oldest driver on the 2024 F1 grid, with only Fernando Alonso, who is 42 years old, surpassing him in age. Sir Lewis expressed his surprise, saying, “I never thought I would still be racing in my forties. I’m pretty sure I once said I wouldn’t continue racing past that age.”
“I find life to be an incredibly unpredictable journey,” reflected Hamilton. “Despite approaching 40 years old, I still feel youthful. The best part is that I’m not the oldest driver here, thanks to Fernando. He is truly one of the greatest drivers in our sport, and his continued presence and success demonstrate the remarkable capabilities of athletes and the human body when properly cared for.
“I plan to continue racing for a significant amount of time, so it’s reassuring to see Fernando still competing and pushing forward,” Hamilton emphasized. These statements will surely please Ferrari and their devoted fans.
Now, let’s focus on the present. The Sprint Race Weekend in Shanghai marks its return to the F1 calendar after a two-year absence. It is also the fifth round of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, where Mercedes faces a daunting challenge.
The much-anticipated “improvements” to the car turned out to be nothing more than a false hope and a wake-up call for Mercedes. The W15 model is no better than its predecessor, the W14, or even the W13, which was harshly criticized by George Russell in the latest season of Netflix’s Drive to Survive.
When asked about his expectations for China, Hamilton didn’t hold back: “Our car remains unchanged, but we have gained a better understanding of it. We made some improvements in Japan, and we will incorporate those into this weekend’s race, along with some new adjustments.
“In hindsight and with experience, there are things we would have done differently. We aim to implement those changes here and hopefully find some performance gains,” Hamilton added.
Sunday’s race in Shanghai will mark Hamilton’s 337th start in F1. He has previously achieved success at this venue, with six victories during Mercedes’ dominant era, similar to Red Bull’s current dominance.