“Let’s make it one to recollect,” says Hamilton as he greets the New 12 months and a (a lot anticipated) debut together with his new staff.
This time final yr, 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 principles revamp, to not point out the controversy of Abu Dhabi 2021, had hit Mercedes laborious, however most have been assured that the German staff would finally resolve its points and due to this fact supplied its star driver the perfect 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 can be becoming a member of the staff in 2025, on a multi-year contract.”
The shockwaves that went by 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 by way of speaking in regards to the transfer to Ferrari, nevertheless from January 1, when he formally turned Charles Leclerc’s teammate, that modified.
“Let’s make it one to recollect,” he wrote on Linkedin.
“Shifting to Scuderia Ferrari, there’s lots to replicate 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 ability, 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 purple will give the game a big increase, it stays to be seen whether or not the Italian staff 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, staff boss Fred Vasseur insists that the intense enterprise that follows is what issues.
“Everyone all around the world is worked up and for certain,” he informed 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 staff 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 implies that it is going to be emotional, nevertheless it needs to be emotional for one lap! After which, he needs to be targeted,” he added.
“You realize that each single staff is totally different for certain, however we’re all chasing the identical aim with the identical strategy. What’s a bit totally different is the fervour or the emotion across the staff, however I believe Lewis is effectively ready to handle this. I believe it is a lot simpler to reach someplace when the fervour is on the prime than the alternative.”
