“Let’s make it one to recollect,” says Hamilton as he greets the New Yr and a (a lot anticipated) debut along with his new group.
This time final yr, 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 truth 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 foundations revamp, to not point out the controversy of Abu Dhabi 2021, had hit Mercedes laborious, however most have been assured that the German group would ultimately remedy its points and due to this fact provided 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 utterly off guard.
Whereas he was unable to sign-off with that eighth title, Hamilton did no less than give Mercedes two wins – even when one was by default – whereas making a degree – in each senses – by passing his teammate on the ultimate lap of the ultimate race.
For essentially the most half, Hamilton has been diplomatic when it comes to speaking concerning the transfer to Ferrari, nevertheless from January 1, when he formally grew to become Charles Leclerc’s teammate, that modified.
“Let’s make it one to recollect,” he wrote on Linkedin.
“Transferring to Scuderia Ferrari, there’s lots 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 talent, 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 enhance, it stays to be seen whether or not the Italian group may give him a automobile (and techniques) 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 everywhere in the world is happy and for certain,” he instructed 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 feel 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 more likely to be emotional, the Frenchman admitted: Yeah, it is true that it is fairly emotional, as a result of I feel he has this second in his thoughts for in all probability twenty years.
“It signifies that it is going to be emotional, nevertheless it needs to be emotional for one lap! After which, he needs to be centered,” he added.
“You already know that each single group is completely different for certain, however we’re all chasing the identical purpose with the identical method. What’s a bit completely different is the eagerness or the emotion across the group, however I feel Lewis is properly ready to handle this. I feel it is a lot simpler to reach someplace when the eagerness is on the prime than the other.”
