“Let’s make it one to recollect,” says Hamilton as he greets the New 12 months and a (a lot anticipated) debut along with his new group.
This time final 12 months, the Briton was nonetheless very a lot a Mercedes driver. In fact, for years there had been media hypothesis linking him with a “dream” transfer to Maranello however the truth is that whereas the Maranello outfit was nonetheless successfully within the wilderness – so far as titles have been involved – the Three Pointed Star had taken Hamilton to 6.
Granted, the foundations revamp, to not point out the controversy of Abu Dhabi 2021, had hit Mercedes exhausting, however most have been assured that the German group would finally resolve its points and subsequently provided its star driver one of the best hope of that elusive eighth title.
Then, in mid-January, as soon as once more rumours linking Hamilton with Ferrari started to emerge, however this time there was actual meat to them, and on Thursday 1 February the Maranello outfit issued a brief, however historic, assertion.
“Scuderia Ferrari is happy to announce that Lewis Hamilton will likely be becoming a member of the group in 2025, on a multi-year contract.”
The shockwaves that went via the game have been felt hardest at Mercedes, the place Toto Wolff was caught utterly off guard.
Whereas he was unable to sign-off with that eighth title, Hamilton did no less than give Mercedes two wins – even when one was by default – whereas making some extent – in each senses – by passing his teammate on the ultimate lap of the ultimate race.
For probably the most half, Hamilton has been diplomatic when it comes to speaking concerning the transfer to Ferrari, nonetheless from January 1, when he formally grew to become Charles Leclerc’s teammate, that modified.
“Let’s make it one to recollect,” he wrote on Linkedin.
“Transferring to Scuderia Ferrari, there’s lots to mirror on,” he added. “To anybody contemplating their subsequent transfer in 2025: embrace the change.
“Whether or not you are switching industries, studying a brand new talent, and even simply taking over new challenges, keep in mind that reinvention is highly effective. Your subsequent alternative is at all times inside attain.”
Whereas the sight of the seven-time world champion in pink will give the game a major increase, it stays to be seen whether or not the Italian group can provide him a automotive (and methods) worthy of his skills, after all of the likes of Prost, Alonso and Vettel all tried but failed.
Acknowledging the thrill on the prospect of seeing Hamilton sporting the prancing horse on his overalls for the primary time, group boss Fred Vasseur insists that the intense enterprise that follows is what issues.
“Everyone everywhere in the world is happy and for positive,” he advised Sky Sports activities, “the mechanics are additionally excited, however as a result of it is at all times thrilling to have somebody who’s a seven-time World Champion into the automotive.
“However I believe after the day one, we’ll have to show this web page and to be targeted on the job,” he warned.
Requested if the Briton’s first outing with the group is prone to be emotional, the Frenchman admitted: Yeah, it is true that it is fairly emotional, as a result of I believe he has this second in his thoughts for most likely twenty years.
“It signifies that will probably be emotional, but it surely must be emotional for one lap! After which, he must be targeted,” he added.
“You recognize that each single group is completely different for positive, however we’re all chasing the identical aim with the identical method. What’s a bit completely different is the fervour or the emotion across the group, however I believe Lewis is nicely ready to handle this. I believe it is a lot simpler to reach someplace when the fervour is on the high than the alternative.”
