Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali expressed his satisfaction with Lewis Hamilton’s choice to join Ferrari in 2025, stating that it will undoubtedly generate interest in the sport in the upcoming year. Hamilton has been associated with Mercedes since his debut in F1 in 2007 and appeared likely to end his career with the team after signing a two-year contract extension last August. However, the agreement included a provision that Hamilton has now activated, allowing him to make the move to Ferrari at the start of the next season. In doing so, he will replace current driver Carlos Sainz and team up with Charles Leclerc, who recently committed his future to the Italian team. Domenicali, who previously served as Ferrari’s Team Principal from 2008 to 2014, believes that Hamilton’s presence at Ferrari will undoubtedly generate interest in the series in 2025. He stated, “This news is certainly intriguing and has garnered an extraordinary response not only in Italy but also around the world. It guarantees that our sport will continue to capture attention in the coming year.”
Last season witnessed Red Bull achieve an unprecedented level of dominance as it stormed to victory in all but one of the 22 races to secure another championship double.
This led London-based social intelligence group Buzz Radar to release its findings that F1’s social engagement numbers had decreased for the first time since 2018.
Hamilton was the final driver to challenge reigning champion Max Verstappen, when the two went head-to-head until the last round in an exciting title battle back in 2021.
However, the British driver has not claimed a single victory since December of that year due to Mercedes struggling to perfect a concept with the introduction of ground effect cars in 2022.
But while Hamilton will not be making the move to Maranello just yet, Domenicali is confident that the dynamic at Ferrari and Mercedes will be an intriguing subplot to follow this season.
“It is certainly very positive, but I believe that the impact will also be noticeable for what can occur on the track within Ferrari and also Mercedes,” the Italian added.
“The dynamics and relationships will change, and this will only benefit our championship.”
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has stated that Hamilton and teammate George Russell will continue to be treated equally despite the former’s upcoming departure.
“I think what I have always tried to do as a Team Principal and all of us at Mercedes is to be open and fair, and nothing will change in that regard in 2024,” he told media.
“In terms of the future development, I think it’s something we have to consider. The regulations remain largely the same, and when it comes to 2025, we will assess later in the season what it means in terms of technical information, but it is not something that concerns me at all.”