Lewis Hamilton’s surprise move to Ferrari has ensured that the biggest deals done on transfer deadline day are in Formula One rather than football. Never one to shy away from a challenge, the seven-time world champion made his boldest move in the final throw of the dice of his career.
This is an amazing and exciting deal. Hamilton chose to leave Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025, the most significant team change of this century. Having signed a new contract with Mercedes last August and after years of denying rumors of a move to Ferrari, the 39-year-old has announced his intention to end his career with the most famous, legendary and successful team. career. in F1 history.
Admittedly, this is shocking because just last season, Hamilton insisted he was happy and confident at Mercedes, where he has won six of his seven titles, saying He will spend his career with the team. The British driver’s decision is far from unprecedented, though, as there are some similarities to his past that can’t be ignored.
In late 2012, after winning his first title with McLaren in 2008, he announced that he would leave the team in 2013 to join Mercedes. The decision caused similar consternation and was met with skepticism and ridicule. McLaren are a proven championship team, while Mercedes, relative newcomers, are firmly established in the midfield.
Some considered it career suicide, but just a year later Hamilton won the title and five more titles followed, giving the team its eighth consecutive Constructors’ Championship. Hamilton joins them based on the commitments made by team principal Ross Brawn and former world champion Niki Lauda at Mercedes, particularly the new rules for 2014. Hamilton liked what he saw and followed it, trusting his instincts.
It turns out that what they did was right and achieved remarkable results, and it’s impossible not to imagine similar reasoning behind this move. There was, of course, an element of romanticism in his decision. Everyone wants to drive for the Scuderia – the scarlet car behind the Prancing Horse will become part of F1 history, the only team to have competed in every World Championship since its inception in 1950. The magic that makes Ferrari the most famous brand in the world.
Still, what may be driving Hamilton most is his belief that Ferrari, not Mercedes, is his best chance of winning an eighth title. He knows team principal Fred Vasseur well, having raced for him in GP3 and F2, and he and Ferrari must have given Hamilton convincing enough evidence that they can deliver the machine he desires, if not in 2025. So what are the changes for 2026 under the main rules.
It’s not just about adding Ferrari to his resume before calling it quits. Hamilton has to believe he can win the title with the team. It also shows how his confidence in Mercedes has waned over the past two seasons when they delivered an uncompetitive car and, in fact, despite protests to the contrary, He doesn’t think they’re the best fit for the team. Catching up with Max Verstappen and Red Bull.
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He knew this was a task not to be underestimated. Ferrari has not won the drivers’ title since Kimi Räikkönen narrowly beat Hamilton to the title in his explosive debut season in 2007.
The longest drought Scuderia Ferrari has ever endured was a challenge that beat the best. Over the past 15 years, two multiple world champions, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, have joined Ferrari with the vision of scarlet glory being the pinnacle of their careers. Both ended up disillusioned and anonymous.
Hamilton, like them, has to adapt to a new team, having spent 12 seasons around Mercedes. It was a difficult task and he had to do it quickly. The team has been performing poorly recently. After being beaten by Mercedes last season, they fell short both operationally and tactically and at times struggled under pressure, although that improved last season after Vassell took over.
Pressure is another factor that he will consider and must accept. Hamilton is used to scrutiny, now in his 17th season in the sport, but that will be completely different now.What to expect from Ferrari supporters fanThe demands are high at the best of times, but for a rider of his caliber and experience, his abilities will be above and beyond.
However, he knows what winning means to them and how they carry the riders into their hearts. Nigel Mansell only won three races in two seasons for Ferrari, but they admired his determination and tenacity and called him “Il Leone” – “The Lion”. Imagine how they would react if Hamilton ended up winning the championship.
For Ferrari, it was a huge success. Achieving this will require a huge statement of intent on their part. They will have the best driver pairing on the track: Charles Leclerc, a very fast young driver, and the experienced Hamilton. If the plan is 2026, there’s no way any driver can bring more to the table or garage.
At Mercedes, his absence will be painful. Team principal Toto Wolff became very close friends with Hamilton and their relationship has long been seen as one of the core factors in Hamilton’s loyalty to the team. Wolff is understandably injured and his team must now begin the very tricky task of replacing a driver who is virtually irreplaceable and with no candidate approaching Hamilton’s skill and stature. He will leave a hole in the team’s heart.
Now Hamilton must build similar relationships at Maranello after making an admirably bold and exciting decision. Hamilton has nothing left to prove, having become the most successful F1 driver of all time. But if he achieves championship success at Ferrari, the deal struck on transfer deadline day 2024 will be remembered as the one that began the final chapter of F1’s greatest legacy.
