The Michael Jordan of Formula One racing is fulfilling his childhood dream.
According to multiple outlets, including CNN, Lewis Hamilton is joining Ferrari in 2025. This happened to be his first social media post since the extraordinary move two Thursdays ago.
“It’s been a crazy few days which have been filled with a wide range of emotions. But as you all now know, after an incredible 11 years at Mercedes-AMG Petronas F! Team, the time has come for me to start a new chapter in my life and I will be joining Scuderia Ferrari in 2025,” Hamilton said on his social media last Saturday. “I feel incredibly fortunate, after achieving things with Mercedes that I could only have dreamed of as a kid, that I now have the chance to fulfill another childhood dream. Driving in Ferrari red.”
First reported by Sky Sports and Spanish media, Hamilton’s shocking move to the Italian outfit that replaced Spanish driver Carlos Sainz has taken the motorsport world by storm. The move is being called “the single biggest driver transfer in the history of the sport,” said F1 broadcaster Will Buxton.
“I’m fine, I’m calm, we’re working for the future but have all for that that we have ahead of us, a very important year, my last year with the team and I want to do the best I can. I’m training to prepare as best I can and give everything,” he said to Sky Sports, according to Sports Illustrated.
Hamilton, 39, shares the record for most F1 titles with Michael Schumacher. Hamilton joined Mercees in 2013 after starting his career with McLaren back in 2007.
While he signed an extension with Mercedes until 2025 in August of last year, the team said in a statement that Hamilton, in fact, had activated a release option in the contract,” and would leave the Silver Arrows at the culmination of the upcoming campaign.
Soon after, Ferrari announced that it signed Hamilton to a “multi-year contract.”
Hamilton said in a post that it wasn’t an easy decision, though the time was right for time to move on.
“Mercedes has been a huge part of my life since I was 13 years old, so this decision has been the hardest I’ve ever had to make,” Hamilton said. “I’m incredibly proud of all that we’ve achieved together and I’ve very grateful for the hard work and dedication of everyone I have worked with over the years and of course (Mercedes team principal) Toto (Wolff), for his friendship, guidance and leadership.
“Together we have won titles, broken records and become the most successful Driver-Team partnership in FI history. And of course I cannot forget (former Mercedes non-executive chairman and three-time F1 world champion) Niki (Lauda) who was a huge supporter and who I will miss everyday.”
