Lewis Hamilton ‘excited for year ahead’ after Ferrari switch
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Lewis Hamilton believes that 2025 will be a year to embrace changes and challenges as he prepares for his debut season with Ferrari.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
LONDON – Lewis Hamilton said on Jan 3 that he “could not be more excited for the year ahead”, as the seven-time world champion prepares for his first Formula One season with Ferrari.
The Briton has officially joined the Italian giants from Mercedes, with whom he won six of his drivers’ world titles.
But the lure of racing for Ferrari – arguably the most celebrated team in the history of the sport – proved too strong, with the 39-year-old hoping his move inspires others to seize new opportunities.
“I could not be more excited for the year ahead,” Hamilton wrote on LinkedIn, where he is listed as “entrepreneur, investor and F1 driver”.
“Moving to Scuderia Ferrari, there’s a lot to reflect on.”
The veteran, who turns 40 on Jan 7, added: “To anyone considering their next move in 2025: embrace the change. Whether you’re switching industries, learning a new skill, or even just taking on new challenges, remember that reinvention is powerful. Your next opportunity is always within reach.
“Here’s to 2025 – a year of embracing new opportunities, staying hungry, and driving forward with purpose. Let’s make it one to remember. Andiamo (Let’s go).”
He ended his post with the hashtag “new job”, alongside a picture of him karting in a red crash helmet as a child with the familiar racing No. 44 on it.
Hamilton, who made his name in Formula One with McLaren, winning the 2008 title, has joined Ferrari after 12 seasons at Mercedes and his first race for his new team will be the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 16.
He is due to unveil his 2025 car at Ferrari’s season launch, alongside teammate Charles Leclerc on Feb 19 at the team’s Maranello headquarters in northern Italy, with testing in Bahrain the following week.
The Briton had his worst season in Formula One in 2024, in terms of championship position.
He did end his 2½-year winless streak at the British Grand Prix in July, but finished only seventh in the world championship, a mammoth 214 points behind title winner Max Verstappen of Red Bull.
Mercedes teammate George Russell was sixth.
Hamilton joins a Ferrari side who were narrowly beaten to the constructors’ title by McLaren last season.
Looking ahead, he is bidding to win an outright record eighth world title – Hamilton shares the current record of seven with Michael Schumacher – and secure Ferrari their first championship in nearly two decades. AFP, REUTERS
