Lewis Hamilton’s inspiration for joining Ferrari in 2025

Lewis Hamilton, or Sir Lewis Hamilton as he is now, is nothing short of an F1 legend. Born in Stevenage, Lewis Hamilton began pursuing his passion at the age of six when he got into karting. His successes there led him to meet Ron Dennis, co-owner and CEO of McLaren, who signed him to the McClaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme as a teenager. In 2007, he signed for McClaren, and his F1 legacy began.



Lewis Hamilton’s F1 Legacy



Hamilton was the first black driver to compete in F1 at the Australian Grand Prix. Even during his rookie season, he won four Grands Prix and set numerous records. Overall, he was runner up on his very first season. The following year, he won his first titles and became the youngest in the world to do so. Over the next four seasons, Hamilton achieved several race wins.



In 2013, Hamilton signed for Mercedes. For the first time in his 15-year career, he wasn’t with McLaren. This worked in his favour as the new engine regulations meant that Mercedes became the dominant force in F1, and between them, Hamilton and his teammate Nico Rosberg won 51/59 Grands Prix. This rivalry was nicknamed “the silver war”.



In 2020, Hamilton equalled Michael Schumacher’s record, winning seven World Drivers’ Championships. He also became the first ever driver to get over 100 race wins and pole positions in 2021. He wasn’t as successful in 2022 and 2023, but in 2024, he came back with a vengeance and got his 9 th British Grand Prix victory. This was his 12 th season with Mercedes and would be his last.



In 2025, Hamilton signed for Ferrari, a contract that will remain until the end of 2026, at least. Besides his seven F1 championship titles, he also holds the record for the most pole positions at 104, the most podium finishes at 202, and the most wins at 105. The switch came as a big surprise when it was announced, especially as he was expected to remain at Mercedes until the end of 2025.



The Move to Ferrari: Why Now?



According to Formula1, Hamilton saw an opportunity in the new year 2024 and decided to take it, though he said it was the hardest decision he’d ever made. He said, “I think ultimately I’m writing my story, and I felt like it was time to start a new chapter.”



It was Hamilton’s childhood dream to drive for Ferrari , especially as he’d grown up watching Michael Schumacher surrounded by the red of the Ferrari. Hamilton will now work with Fred Vasseur again, a figure he worked with in the junior section in Formula 3 and GP2.



So for now, Lewis Hamilton is prepping for the F1 season and will soon be testing this year’s Ferrari car. He has already taken part in a behind-closed-doors Ferrari test, but Ferrari was forced to alter things after Hamilton crashed.



What Hamilton Brings to Ferrari



There’s no doubt that Lewis Hamilton has a wealth of experience and leadership. This will be invaluable to the Italian team (should he overcome the language barrier, of course). With his reputation and ability to be consistent under pressure, Hamilton is sure to provide Ferrari with the strategy they need to challenge for titles in the coming years.



One of his key strengths is how he adapts to changing track conditions. This is something that other Ferrari teammates have struggled with in previous seasons. Hamilton’s awareness, tactics, and race craft will hopefully help Ferrari fine-tune their overall race strategies. With Hamilton at the wheel, we’ll likely see Ferrari have a driver that pushes them to continuously improve. This will apply to both race-day execution and developments to the cars.



The relationship between Ferrari and Hamilton is set to be a strong one. Hamilton has exceptional knowledge of car setup and the technical aspects of F1 cars. This means he will be collaborative as Ferrari develop their cars. His feedback could help the team make better decisions and progress, especially in how they refine the cars to suit his driving style. This could mean he has an edge over competitors.



Given Hamilton’s experience and skill, we’re likely to see an influx of bettors who are closely monitoring how he integrates into the Ferrari team. Markets like “first race winner” or “overall championship winner” could offer exciting opportunities as bettors speculate on how quickly Ferrari’s new addition can adapt to their car and strategy. More information about potential Hamilton betting markets is available on Ask Gamblers .



The Competitive Landscape of F1 in 2025



So, what does Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari mean for the F1 competition in 2025? Firstly, it’s clear that this season will be one of the most exciting in recent years. Ferrari, with Hamilton’s calibre, will be ready to take on competitors from other established teams, notably, Red Bull. Could Hamilton win a record-breaking eighth title? It would certainly be historic—but may be a tall order.



Of course, the Dutch and Belgian driver Max Verstappen will be Hamilton’s main rival. As both drivers vie for supremacy, this could be a historic season. Some predict that Verstappen hasn’t got a fifth title in him, though he’ll surely be in contention. Red Bull, though, for the first time in two decades, doesn’t have Adrian Newey as a guiding hand, and so perhaps McLaren and Ferrari have a better chance this season.



But who else is up there? Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are both well-rounded with competitive instincts for McLaren, while Charles Leclerc could be a likely champion, too. Kimi Antonelli, though a rookie, still has great potential in 2025, and Liam Lawson, who is replacing Sergio Pérez, could settle quickly and make some podiums. There’s also Gabriel Bortoleto, last year’s F2 winner, making his F1 debut, racing for Kick Sauber. Will Alonso hang in there? Most likely. But winning will be a lot of ask—aged 43, youth isn’t on his side, much like Hamilton.



The first indications of what F1 holds for 2025 will be seen towards the end of February in Bahrain, but it’s likely that this season will be interesting, to say the least.



Conclusion



Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for 2025 marks the beginning of a new chapter for both the driver and the Ferrari team. With his experience and consistency, Hamilton has a great set of skills to bring to the team, but will it be enough to secure his eighth title and break his joint record with Schumaker?



Now in his 40s, time isn’t on his side, and Hamilton’s move will certainly be one to watch. The competition is as fierce as ever, with rookies Liam Lawson (Red Bull), Jack Doohan (Alpine), Oliver Bearman (Hass), Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), and Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) all ready to join in the fun. Also, this year, Louis Vuitton is the Official Partner of F1 in what will be a ten-year collaboration. It’s certainly a season to be watched!
The post Lewis Hamilton’s inspiration for joining Ferrari in 2025 appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk .