The seven-time champion has been a long-time dream of
driving for Ferrari since he made his grand prix debut in 2007, and had said he
would remain with Mercedes as a brand ambassador until 2025.
However, the news came as a shock to Mercedes, who had won
six of Hamilton’s seven world championships and had been expecting him to stay
with the team.
“Lewis Hamilton has signed a £40m deal with Ferrari to
end his career,” read a statement from the Briton, who had previously said
he would stay with Mercedes for the remainder of his career.
“This has been a dream of his since he first
started racing in 2007,” read the statement, which was sent to Mail Sport
on Tuesday. “Mercedes have been left in shock and disbelief.”
Lewis Hamilton has been with Mercedes since his 13th
birthday and has been with the team for 11 years. Last May, this paper reported
that he was in negotiations with Ferrari to join their team. However, Hamilton,
team boss Fred Vasser and team owner Jean-Luca Arrivabene publicly distanced
themselves from the talks.
Ferrari announced the signing of Hamilton in a statement
last night, saying: “We are delighted that Lewis Hamilton has decided to
join Scuderia Ferrari for the 2025 season. We are proud of the progress we have
made together and look forward to the challenge of this new chapter in our
history.”
Team Statement
Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025, on a multi-year contract. pic.twitter.com/moEMqUgzXH
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 1, 2024
The announcement came after secret talks between Hamilton,
who has been with Ferrari since 2013, and President John Elkann. “I have
been with Ferrari since my 13th birthday, and it has been one of the most
difficult decisions I have had to make in my life,” Hamilton said. “I
am so excited to take on this new challenge and look forward to it.”
The news is plainly the biggest transfer in F1 history,
surpassing indeed Hamilton’s move in2012/13 from McLaren to Mercedes. He’ll
mate Charles Leclerc, the boy Napoleon from Monaco, who has just inked a deal
to remain with the Scuderia until 2029 on a payment worth over to£ 35m,
lagniappes included.
Leclerc’s current mate Carlos Sainz, due to be with Ferrari
this coming season but not further, has a suddenly uncertain future. His
contract accommodations stalled in December of last time- and we now know why.
At Mercedes, dusk. They’ve the excellent George Russell, but
with whom to mate him coming time? maybe his confidante from Williams, Alex
Albon. But Mercedes’ have a potent job on their hands to turn themselves back
into the automatic successful machine they formerly were.
Hamilton’s decision is a slight on their capability to
revivify themselves. He easily doesn’t believe Mercedes can supplicate a
winning programme within the frame of his career- or at least he doubts it.
He has not won a race, to go with his 103 other record
palms, since losing the title to Max Verstappen in 2021 in Abu Dhabi in that so
controversial race.
Meanwhile, F1 pundits have given a more considered take on
the huge news.
Martin Brundle said’ I ’m so looking forward to this. We ’ve
asked him for times about it and he sounded nailed on at Merc for life, and
always dismissive of moving. Hamilton and Leclerc in scarlet, that’s a story.’
David Croft added’ Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari! Always allowed
it would be one day, eventually it’ll and it seems as early as 2025.
Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari! Always thought it would happen one day, finally it will and it seems as early as 2025. Seismic move just as it was when Lewis joined Mercedes and like then I don’t see the negatives. But wow, undoubtedly the biggest transfer on transfer deadline day!
— David Croft (@CroftyF1) February 1, 2024
Seismic move just as it was when Lewis joined Mercedes and
like also I do n’t see the negatives. But wow, really the biggest transfer on
transfer deadline day!’
Former motorist Karun Chandhok explained that the
romanticism of a final world title with Ferrari was too good to turn down.
I was trying to understand “ Where’s the sense in a Ferrari
move? ” maybe there is n’t any Lewis has further plutocrat than he could ever
spend, has n’t won a race in over 2 times & perhaps his heart wanted a new
challenge.
To win an 8th title in a Ferrari would be an inconceivable
heritage!’