Last Updated on February 1 2025, 9:09 am
For more than a decade, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have been synonymous with Formula One dominance. Alongside team boss Toto Wolff, Hamilton shattered records, won multiple world championships and established himself as one of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history. From 2025, however, a dramatic change will take place – Hamilton will race for Ferrari, marking the end of an era at Mercedes and the beginning of a new chapter in his illustrious career.
Seeing the seven-time world champion in Ferrari’s iconic red is still an unfamiliar sight for many fans and pundits. For years, Hamilton was draped in Mercedes’ signature black, silver and white, with the three-pointed star emblazoned on his racing suit. Now the Prancing Horse and Ferrari’s legendary red and yellow dominate his outfit, a stark contrast that has captivated the motorsport world.
Horner welcomes Herbert’s sacking
Hamilton’s first days in Maranello
Just over a week ago, Hamilton officially took up his new role at Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters. In an event that sent shockwaves through the F1 community, he was photographed at the Scuderia’s base dressed head to toe in Ferrari gear and later took his first laps in an older model Ferrari car.
Images of Hamilton settling into his new home quickly went viral, sparking excitement among Ferrari fans and nostalgia among Mercedes supporters. His presence at Maranello signalled the beginning of what many hope will be a successful era for Ferrari, a team desperate to return to their championship-winning ways.
Verstappen: The transfer that could ignite F1
Wolff’s witty ‘divorce’ remark
One person who couldn’t ignore Hamilton’s first Ferrari photos was his former team boss, Toto Wolff. The Mercedes chief, who has worked closely with Hamilton since 2013, was asked for his thoughts on seeing his former star driver in Ferrari colours. His response? A mixture of humour and sincerity.
Speaking at the Autosport Awards gala, Wolff quipped to *Sky Sports*,
*”It’s a bit like when you’ve had an amicable divorce, everything’s fine, and then you see your old partner with their new partner for the first time…”.
The comment drew laughter, but it also highlighted the deep bond between Mercedes and Hamilton. After more than a decade together, seeing Hamilton in red instead of silver was bound to feel strange, even for Wolff.
But Wolff didn’t stop at humour. He went on to praise Hamilton’s Ferrari debut, saying, *”I told him those pictures of him were iconic and just so well put together,* before adding with a smile, *”But it’s no surprise when Lewis is involved.
Despite the change, Wolff’s words reflected both admiration and respect for Hamilton’s move, reinforcing the amicable nature of their parting.
First Ferrari outing: Hamilton’s Fiorano test and Barcelona crash
Hamilton wasted no time in getting to know his new machine. Following his visit to Maranello, he took to the track at Ferrari’s private test track at Fiorano, completing 30 laps in an older Scuderia car. The private session was an opportunity for him to familiarise himself with the team’s operations, engineers and car dynamics.
Shortly afterwards, he travelled to Barcelona for further testing in Ferrari’s 2023 model. However, the session didn’t go as smoothly as planned. Hamilton crashed during the test, prompting Ferrari to fly in experts to assess the damage. While the incident was unexpected, it was a reminder that the transition to a new team – even for a seven-time world champion – comes with challenges.
Newey criticises Red bull technical team
First run in the SF-25: The countdown begins
Hamilton’s real Ferrari debut, however, is yet to come. He will get behind the wheel of Ferrari’s all-new 2025 challenger, the SF-25, for the first time at the official pre-season test in Bahrain. The three-day test, which runs from 26-28 February, will be the first time the world has seen Hamilton in a Ferrari on track against his rivals.
Fans are eagerly anticipating the moment, as it will be the first real indication of how well Hamilton and Ferrari are working together. With Ferrari looking to dethrone Red Bull and end their long championship drought, all eyes will be on Hamilton to see if he can bring his championship-winning skills to Maranello.
Horner negotiates SHOCK Verstappen backup plan
What’s next for Hamilton and Ferrari?
Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari has already shaken up the F1 landscape. His move is not just a change of scenery – it represents Ferrari’s ambitious push to return to the top. With Red Bull dominating in recent years, Ferrari are hoping that Hamilton’s experience and racing skills will be the missing piece in their championship puzzle.
Meanwhile, Mercedes are entering a new era of their own. With Hamilton’s departure, George Russell now takes on the role of team principal as the team prepares to welcome a new driver – potentially one of the sport’s rising young stars.
For Hamilton, the goal is clear: to restore Ferrari to its former glory and chase an elusive eighth world title. For Wolff and Mercedes, the challenge is to rebuild and prove that their success doesn’t depend solely on Hamilton.
As the 2025 season approaches, the anticipation continues to build. Will Hamilton’s move to Ferrari prove to be a masterstroke, or will Mercedes find a way to rise again without their legendary driver? One thing is certain – the story of Hamilton and Ferrari is only just beginning.
READ MORE – McLaren hijacked by surprise new FIA regulation
MORE F1 NEWS – Red Bull test new RB21 ahead of competition
Red Bull gains an edge as Verstappen and Lawson hit the Bahrain track early for film day as Red Bull tests RB21 ahead of official preseason – As the countdown to the 2025 Formula One season intensifies, Red Bull Racing has once again demonstrated its strategic ingenuity. With the official three-day pre-season test in Bahrain set to begin on 26 February, Red Bull is exploiting a regulatory loophole to get an early start.
By using a designated filming day, the reigning champions will have the RB21 on track before any of their rivals. The move allows Red Bull to fine-tune its latest challenger ahead of the competition, maximising its preparation time and ironing out any teething problems before the crucial pre-season testing days begin…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
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.
