Ferrari’s newest addition to the Formula 1 team, Lewis Hamilton, expressed that he is motivated by the same “feeling” he had when he first joined Mercedes in 2013. Hamilton will be departing from Mercedes at the end of the 2024 F1 season, cutting short his originally planned two-year contract extension, in order to join the Scuderia red team. In a recent social media post, the seven-time champion shared his thoughts on the move, providing a more detailed insight into his decision-making process. Hamilton described the past few days as “intense” and filled with a wide range of emotions. He expressed his gratitude towards his Mercedes team, the brand, late team advisor Niki Lauda, and team principal Toto Wolff. Hamilton acknowledged that this was the most difficult decision he has ever made and drew a comparison between this move and his decision to switch from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013.
Back then, Hamilton left a successful team that had finished third in the previous year’s standings to join Mercedes, which was in the process of rebuilding. This move proved to be a wise one, as McLaren experienced a decline in performance while Mercedes went on to dominate the sport with the introduction of hybrid engines in 2014. Similarly, Hamilton is now making a move ahead of a major engine regulations change, just like he did in 2013. Despite the uncertainties, Hamilton emphasized that he is not thinking about 2025 and is solely focused on the upcoming season with Mercedes. He expressed his determination to help Mercedes achieve victory once again, stating that he is more motivated and dedicated than ever before.
The parallels between Hamilton’s surprising move to Ferrari and his initial move to Mercedes are evident. Both decisions involved leaving a long-term partnership and betting on a potentially less obvious competitive improvement. However, this break-up is more significant as Hamilton had a sense of continuity with Mercedes due to their previous partnership with McLaren. Additionally, Hamilton’s age and the presence of a young, beloved, and fast incumbent driver at Ferrari add further differences to the equation. It is unlikely that Hamilton will have enough time to replicate the longevity and success he experienced with Mercedes. Despite the potential lack of understanding from others, Hamilton sees this move as another leap of faith into the unknown, just as he did over a decade ago.
While the competitive aspect is undoubtedly important, there are other factors that make this move right for Hamilton. He will be generously compensated as a driver, potentially receiving a salary that Mercedes was unable to match. He is also securing a long-term deal that was not available to him at Mercedes. Furthermore, the feeling of being wanted by Ferrari and John Elkann is significant for Hamilton. Even the superstars of Formula 1 are human, and feeling appreciated goes a long way. Hamilton’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity initiatives and his desire to enact social change align with Ferrari’s apparent dedication to supporting his endeavors beyond racing. Although Mercedes has been a great ally in this regard, Ferrari seems willing to continue and expand on this work.
Hamilton’s Ferrari deal promises substantial benefits both on and off the track. While some may not fully comprehend the move, if the rumors about the deal are even partially true, Hamilton’s satisfaction will outweigh any doubts.