“Let’s make it one to recollect,” says Hamilton as he greets the New 12 months and a (a lot anticipated) debut along with his new group.
This time final 12 months, the Briton was nonetheless very a lot a Mercedes driver. After all, for years there had been media hypothesis linking him with a “dream” transfer to Maranello however the reality 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 arduous, however most have been assured that the German group would ultimately remedy its points and due to this fact supplied its star driver the most effective 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 shall be becoming a member of the group in 2025, on a multi-year contract.”
The shockwaves that went by means of the game have been felt hardest at Mercedes, the place Toto Wolff was caught fully off guard.
Whereas he was unable to sign-off with that eighth title, Hamilton did a minimum of 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 essentially the most half, Hamilton has been diplomatic by way of speaking concerning the transfer to Ferrari, nonetheless from January 1, when he formally turned Charles Leclerc’s teammate, that modified.
“Let’s make it one to recollect,” he wrote on Linkedin.
“Transferring to Scuderia Ferrari, there’s quite a bit 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, do not forget that reinvention is highly effective. Your subsequent alternative is at all times inside attain.”
Whereas the sight of the seven-time world champion in pink will give the game a big increase, it stays to be seen whether or not the Italian group may give him a automobile (and methods) worthy of his abilities, 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, group boss Fred Vasseur insists that the intense enterprise that follows is what issues.
“All people all around the world is happy and for certain,” he advised 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 automobile.
“However I believe after the day one, we’ll have to show this web page and to be centered on the job,” he warned.
Requested if the Briton’s first outing with the group 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 in all probability twenty years.
“It implies that it is going to be emotional, nevertheless it must be emotional for one lap! After which, he must be centered,” he added.
“You recognize that each single group is totally different for certain, however we’re all chasing the identical aim with the identical method. What’s a bit totally different is the eagerness or the emotion across the group, however I believe Lewis is nicely ready to handle this. I believe it is a lot simpler to reach someplace when the eagerness is on the prime than the alternative.”
