Formula One Driver Lewis Hamilton Makes Good on Childhood Dreams. Makes Move to Ferrari for 2025

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Have you yet to hear of the mega move that has the F1 world upside down? F1’s Lewis Hamilton almost broke the internet when he announced his intention to drive for Ferrari starting in 2025. I, for one, am not surprised.

I watch a lot of the F1 pundits on YouTube. Most of them publish something daily, so their takes are easy to get to. For the most part, their takes are variable, so listen carefully.

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Lewis has not won a race in two years. The streak started when Max pulled ahead amidst controversy to take his first Driver’s World Championship. Lew had the dominant car for years in a row. Had it been the other way around, Lewis would have achieved his eighth world title, and the tie with Schumacher would have been broken, leaving the #44 alone at the top.

t’s where I grew up, so deciding to leave was one of the most complex decisions ever. But the time is right for me to take this step, and I’m excited to take on a new challenge. I am grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto, for his friendship and leadership. I want to finish on a high together. I am 100% committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember. - Lewis Hamilton on Leaving Mercedes for Ferrari.

F1 fans adore their silly season when contracts expire or go out the window. The driver’s market is fluid. Change, sometimes shocking, is inevitable.

In the F1 ranks, variables influencing outcomes are immense and never-ending. Aerodynamics, track conditions, tire compounds, and many more factors can affect the car and driver’s results.

I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together, Hamilton said in the statement shared by Mercedes, which he added has been part of my life since I was 13 years old. - Lewis Hamilton

This deal took months of discussion. Mentions of Hamilton talking with his new team, Ferrari, had been reported for months. Due Diligence is what you expect from such a high-stature athlete and an iconic team like Ferrari.

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Hamilton’s decision caught Team Principal Toto Wolf off guard.

Why is everyone so surprised? There wasn’t an active, silly season over the summer break. Historically, this is when drivers jump to other teams. Auuugust saw no drivers openings. With F1 drivers locked into deals that keep them from moving to other teams.

We were very aligned when we went into the Christmas period. You need to ask Lewis why he changed his mind. - Mercedes F1Team Principal Toto Wolf.

The recent signings of Charles Leclerc on a long-term contract to Ferrari and Lando Norris to McLaren beyond 2026 have limited Mercedes’ options.

LeClerc and McLaren’s Lando Norris wrapped up their contract extensions weeks before this announcement. Lewis even signed a two-year extension in August last year. Usually, this means he would stay put and look for the W15 to bring him to his eighth-world title.

Lewis has his reasons. The bottom line is he feels Ferarri would be a new environment and challenge. Drivers always say they would like to drive a Ferrari at some point in their careers. Donning the red coveralls will be a new experience for Hamilton.

Driver contracts have an escape clause that lets a driver wriggle free of a current team if a new or greater opportunity arises. Lewis activated a similar clause to make his move to Ferrari.

The news stunned F1 And Lewis fans around the world. YouTube was full of emergency podcasts announcing the news. I rather enjoyed watching my favorite pundit’s head explode. Like I said, it wasn’t a surprise to me.

Hamilton will take the seat currently occupied by Carlos Sainz. Sainz was the only eir contract matters non-Redbull driver to win last year (Singapore GP).

The timing of Hamilton’s announcement was more of a surprise. Over Christmas, it seemed everyone was pulling in the same direction. To say Lewis was leaving for Ferrari just three weeks before testing began on February 24.

Drivers who may replace Hamilton.

Fernando Alonso

Were Mercedes to come calling, would Alonso be able to say no? Alonso is known for turbulent team relationships. Would this be an opportunity to join a competitive team? Generally, Alonso puts forth unrelenting demands for the best from everyone around him. Russell and Alonso would be an exciting pairing.

Carlos Sainz

Sainz is a Ferrari race winner with Ferrari. His career’s best drive was in Singapore in ’23. Carlos loves stability, and Sainz could fit the bill for a team looking for the same. A possibility is that Sainz joins Mercedes, making it a one-for-one swap.

Esteban Ocon

The Frenchman belonged to the Silver Arrows’ junior program in 2015 and has been involved in managing his career since then. Ocon’s point production peaked in 2022 with a 92-point performance. Ocon was a Mercedes reserve driver. Ocon’s question is whether he could thrive in a competitive car.

Daniel Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo is a wild card for Mercedes. Despite his proven ability to compete at the top level, Mercedes has yet to consider Ricciardo for drives. Still, the Australian was part of the conversation for a reserve driver role when his future was at risk in 2022.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli

17-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli is by far the longest shot. He won’t be old enough to even race in F1 until August, given the series’ minimum age is 18. Wolff is excited by the prospects for the young Italian but wishes not to set expectations high. Look for Antonelli to emerge as an F1 talent in the future.

Alex Albon

Alex Albon came to F1 via Red Buyll’s junior development program. He is well-known and well-liked around the paddock. Albon moved through the ranks of go-karts, Formula Renault, F3, GP3 and F2. Albon is considered a vital cog in the driver market. His name comes up whenever top talent is discussed in anticipation of an open seat. He is widely considered to be a hot target in the driver market.

The pressure is now on drivers who don’t have anything in place for 2025. 2025 Drivers fall into two columns. Those who can move where they like, and a second for those who desperately want to drive but don’t have a deal locked up. Two strong players without a ride in ’25 include Sainz and Albon.

The ’24 season hasn’t even started this year. Big decisions lie ahead for investors, team principals, drivers, and everyone dreaming of a world title.

Formula One driver moves come at you fast.

Isn’t that just like life?

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Douglas Pilarski is an award-winning writer & journalist based on the West Coast. He writes about luxury goods, exotic cars, horology, tech, food, lifestyle, equestrian and rodeo, magazine features, and millionaire travel.

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