As the Formula One world gears up for the upcoming Bahrain test, a compelling rumour is taking the circuit by storm. It involves none other than record world champion Lewis Hamilton and the iconic Ferrari team. Speculation is rife that Hamilton could be donning the prestigious red of Ferrari as early as next year, with an official announcement expected in the coming days.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard whispers of a possible move to Ferrari for Lewis Hamilton, the celebrated Mercedes driver. The rumour mill has been active before, but this time the gossip seems to have more substance.
We can now confirm that the announcement is due later today (1st Feb 2024).
Latest developments
As reported by Formu1a.uno, a significant clue lies in Ferrari’s recent actions – or rather inactions. They’ve only confirmed the extension of Charles Leclerc’s contract, leaving the future of Carlos Sainz, whose contract expires at the end of 2024, uncertain. This decision seems to have been influenced by Lewis Hamilton’s potential involvement with the team.
Inside sources speak
According to the Italian portal, Hamilton has held talks with Scuderia team boss Frederic Vasseur and Ferrari president John Elkann. Their intention seems clear: to have Hamilton at the Maranello team by 2025. Discussions with Elkann, in particular, have increased the likelihood of this dramatic change.
Contractual possibilities
How could this move happen, given Hamilton’s recent contract extension with Mercedes? The key lies in the details of Hamilton’s contract, which, according to Formu1a.uno, only ties him to Mercedes until 2024, with an option for the following season. This means that Hamilton could be free to join Ferrari in 2025 if he chooses.
Several websites, including motorsport-total.com and motorsport.com, have picked up on this information. Veteran F1 journalist Adam Cooper also hinted at a development on X (formerly Twitter).
The anticipation of an official announcement
Well-connected F1 journalist Will Buxton added to the anticipation on Twitter, suggesting that a “big announcement” was imminent. His comments suggest that if the rumours are true, the F1 world is in for a sensational development.
That announcement will be issued later today by the team.
Hamilton’s decision
Despite the growing speculation, doubts remain as to whether Hamilton will indeed make the bold move to Ferrari. Although the possibility has arisen several times over the years, Hamilton has always opted to stay with Mercedes.
Another question is whether Ferrari can offer Hamilton what he wants most – an eighth world championship title, which would make him the sole record holder. This remains an important consideration in Hamilton’s decision-making process.
Hamilton to Ferrari confirmed at Ferrari by major UK media outlets
Sky Sports has confirmed that Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time World Champion, will join Ferrari for the 2025 season. This move, anticipated and speculated for months, marks a significant shift in the landscape of Formula 1 racing.
Sky Sports, a leading authority in sports broadcasting, has officially confirmed what many in the Formula 1 community have been speculating: Lewis Hamilton will be wearing the iconic red of Ferrari starting in 2025. This announcement comes after months of rumours and behind-the-scenes discussions, finally giving fans a definitive answer.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is more than just a change of teams; it’s a historic moment in the sport. Known for his long-standing association with Mercedes, Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari symbolizes a new chapter in his illustrious career and a reshaping of the competitive dynamics in Formula 1.
Before delving into his future with Ferrari, it’s essential to acknowledge Hamilton’s achievements with Mercedes. With them, he has claimed multiple world championships, setting numerous records and establishing himself as one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport.
The Implications of the Move
The allure of Ferrari in Formula 1 is undeniable. With a history rich in tradition and success, the move offers Hamilton a new challenge and the opportunity to add an extraordinary chapter to his career. At least these will be the thoughts no doubt running through the British driver’s head when he decided to make the move to Maranello. Whether he can seriously improve the Italian’s teams’ fortunes like Michael Schumacher did in 1996 onwards is anyone’s guess.
Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes raises questions about the team’s direction and future prospects. Who will fill the void left by one of the sport’s most successful drivers? Mercedes faces a crucial period of transition and adaptation.
Ferrari’s Aspirations
For Ferrari, securing Hamilton is a major coup. His expertise and experience could be pivotal in elevating the team’s performance, possibly giving them the edge they need to challenge for championships.
The reaction from fans to Hamilton’s move has been mixed. While many are excited to see him take on a new challenge, others are nostalgic about the end of an era at Mercedes. Regardless, his move to Ferrari is a significant talking point for all Formula 1 enthusiasts.
UPDATED: Italian media say Hamilton could start at Ferrari sooner than 2025
“The seven-time world champion might be joining the ranks of Maranello as early as 2025, yet there’s a possibility that his arrival could be even sooner,” Gazzetta dello Sport quoted.
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, a subject of fervent speculation, has now become a reality, as initially reported by Corriere della Sera. The seven-time world champion is officially slated to join the iconic Italian team in 2025, with growing indications suggesting that this extraordinary shift in his career might even occur a year earlier.
“With this move, Hamilton will be replacing Carlos Sainz at Ferrari, forming a powerhouse duo with Charles Leclerc, who has recently extended his commitment to the team. This strategic pairing promises to usher in a new era of dominance for Ferrari, blending Hamilton’s unparalleled experience with Leclerc’s rising talent.” said the Italian publication.
Joining the Legends
By joining Ferrari, Hamilton aligns himself with some of the most legendary names in Formula 1, who have also donned the famous red. This move isn’t just about the present; it’s about etching his name further into the annals of F1 history.
Ferrari, one of the most iconic teams in Formula 1 history, has been home to numerous legendary drivers over the years. Some of these drivers are renowned for their remarkable achievements and contributions to the sport. Here’s a list of some of the most legendary Formula 1 drivers who have raced for Ferrari:
- Michael Schumacher – Arguably the most famous of Ferrari drivers, Schumacher won five of his seven World Championships with Ferrari from 2000 to 2004.
- Niki Lauda – A three-time World Champion, with two of these titles won during his time at Ferrari in 1975 and 1977.
- Juan Manuel Fangio – Considered one of the greatest F1 drivers, Fangio won one of his five World Championships with Ferrari in 1956.
- Alberto Ascari – The first driver to win two World Championships (1952, 1953), and he achieved both with Ferrari.
- Kimi Räikkönen – Won the World Championship in 2007, providing Ferrari with their last drivers’ title as of my last update in April 2023.
- Alain Prost – A four-time World Champion, Prost raced for Ferrari in 1990 and 1991, narrowly missing out on the title in 1990.
- Gilles Villeneuve – Known for his speed and aggressive driving style, Villeneuve became a fan favorite during his time with Ferrari from 1977 to 1982.
- Sebastian Vettel – A four-time World Champion who joined Ferrari in 2015, finishing as a runner-up in the championship in multiple seasons with the team.
- Fernando Alonso – Twice a World Champion, Alonso raced for Ferrari from 2010 to 2014 and finished as a runner-up in the championship three times with the team.
- John Surtees – The only person to have won World Championships on both two and four wheels, Surtees won his F1 title with Ferrari in 1964.
- Jody Scheckter – The South African driver won his only World Championship with Ferrari in 1979.
- Lewis Hamilton – The British seven-time world champion and statistically the best Formula 1 driver in the history of the sport joins Ferrari for the 2025 season.
These drivers, among others, have contributed significantly to Ferrari’s storied history in Formula 1, each leaving a unique mark on the sport and the legendary Italian team. Will Hamilton successfully do the same?
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
So Hamilton himself has now admitted that it is the car and all the brouhaha of the Brits about him as the greatest driver is a heap of turd.
This move is most appropriate. The Dirtiest Driver Of All Time, going from one dirty team to another dirty team. With Hamilton at Ferrari, it will become one hell of a stinking mass of fertiliser.
Hamilton could have driven for two more years for MB without another win and yet, he could have left with a modicum of dignity. Now the Hamilton cult will be devastated when his time at Ferrari drags both him and Ferrari into depths of infamy.
I feel sorry for Sainz who is being sacrificed for a joke of a driver whose time is past.
I’m no Hamilton fan but I am a Ferrari fan and have been since early in the 70’s.
Regards dirty team, that applies to every single sporting team, be it motorsport or football or baseball. Elite sport removes ethics and replaces it with ambition. You’re naive if you believe otherwise.
I don’t know how far back your interest in F1 dates, but if all you know of Ferrari is the Schumacher years, you’re doing them a disservice.
Todt and Schumacher changed the Ferrari narrative forever but history shows that pre Enzo’s death, in 1988, Ferrari never ran 1 & 2 drivers, they were allowed to fight until a title needed a support. His motto was ‘Ferrari cars win races, drivers lose them’
If you remember Frank Williams, you’ll have the closest methodology to how Ferrari ran his team. The cars were the only thing that mattered, drivers are replaceable.
I give credit to Ferrari for striving to have the two best drivers available to them and pairing them together because it’s quite obvious most other teams don’t want that particular headache.
Regarding Sainz, he’s a disruptive over-rated driver. He’s not elite and I’m overjoyed he’s on his way out. And Hamilton? He’s been beaten by Button, Rosberg and Russell over a season, I’m not convinced Leclerc is quaking in his boots at the prospect.
It’s funny Vijay, because you posted almost verbatim, what I had down as what you would say.
You know its OK to just, not be a fan of driver X without being so nasty and spiteful (and if you want you actually use the “dirtiest driver of all time” moniker, I would seriously consider a certain German who got himself disqualified from a whole championship)