Lewis Hamilton has revealed the driving force and thought process behind his surprising decision to join Ferrari for the upcoming season. The move aims to replicate the success of the only other seven-time world champion, Michael Schumacher, who had a legendary stint with the Italian team. Hamilton’s announcement of the multi-year deal with Ferrari for 2025 and beyond took the entire racing community by surprise. He hopes to establish his own legacy with Ferrari, just like Schumacher did.
Hamilton also credits Fred Vasseur, the team principal of Ferrari, for playing a significant role in his decision. Vasseur has been a major influence in Hamilton’s life and career, with the two dominating various junior racing series together. Their partnership dates back to Hamilton’s early days in Formula 1.
Despite Ferrari’s recent lack of dominance, Hamilton has always been a passionate supporter of the team. He recalls witnessing the fervent Ferrari fans during Schumacher’s prime and has dreamt of being a part of their success. Now, he has the opportunity to fulfill his childhood dream and bring glory back to the team.
In the recent preseason test in Bahrain, Hamilton’s current team, Mercedes, finished second on the timesheets after completing 361 laps with their Mercedes W15 car. Despite going two seasons without a victory, Hamilton believes that the team has a strong sense of purpose and camaraderie. He praises Mercedes for their fantastic foundation with the W15 and sees great potential for future success.
Hamilton finds the collaboration and dedication within the team to be truly inspiring. He expresses his genuine pride in the hard work and dedication of every single individual at the factory and on the track. The continuous efforts of the team in Bahrain and at their base in Brackley and Brixworth have not gone unnoticed.
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