Lewis Hamilton’s greeting to Ferrari mechanics suggests he already feels at ‘home’ with new team

The turn of the new year finally marks the start of Lewis Hamilton’s tenure at Ferrari.

The seven-time world champion confirmed his move to the Maranello outfit back in February last year before he embarked on his final season with Mercedes in 2024.

Hamilton endured another frustrating season with the Silver Arrows as he struggled for consistency and finished seventh in the standings – the lowest finish of his career. Despite this, his time with Mercedes will go down in F1 history as arguably the greatest partnership the sport has ever seen.

Winning six of his seven championships with the team and becoming the winningest driver of all time, the 39-year-old’s exit undoubtedly brought many emotions. Toto Wolff said his final farewell to Hamilton as he waved goodbye to the Brackley factory ahead of his move to Ferrari.

Arguably the biggest driver transfer in history, the world eagerly awaits Hamilton’s debut in red. Ferrari have scheduled a test for Hamilton at the Fiorano Circuit in January, but have other dates and locations planned in case the test cannot go ahead due to poor weather.

Ferrari want to avoid the test becoming a ‘media circus’ as they solely want to focus on Hamilton getting used to the car and his surroundings, limiting any possible distractions as he prepares for the 2025 season.

Lewis Hamilton greeted his Ferrari mechanics in Italian in Abu Dhabi

The Brit will reunite with Frederic Vasseur, whom he worked with in his junior days in GP2 and will be partnered with Charles Leclerc, with the Monegasque driver providing strong competition.

Hamilton had the same ‘secret meetings’ with Ferrari as Carlos Sainz as he privately visited Maranello before his move was made official, highlighting how eager he is to get his next chapter up and running.

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And according to a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 39-year-old already feels at ‘home’ with Ferrari after he got acquainted with his mechanics in Abu Dhabi.

The report says that ‘Hamilton has felt at Ferrari for a long time’ after signing his contract at the beginning of 2024 and that he already feels the team is his after ‘he greeted the mechanics in Italian’ at the season finale at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Hamilton ‘wants to know the faces and secrets of the factory’ as he prepares for what is likely to be his final chance to grab his record-breaking eighth world title.

Has Lewis Hamilton’s replacement already been lined up by Ferrari?

Hamilton has signed a £39m-a-year contract with Ferrari that runs until 2026, with there being an option to extend by a further year.

While there is excitement surrounding the move, there is an element of concern given how disappointing Hamilton’s 2024 was and whether he will bring that form to Ferrari.

Qualifying was a major issue for the 39-year-old as he was outclassed by teammate George Russell last season, getting eliminated from Q1 four times.

Hamilton will be hoping his new adventure with Ferrari will be the fresh start he needs, but he will have his challenges going up against Leclerc given his pace over one lap.

With the Brit’s years in F1 numbered being 39 years old, it is ‘only a matter of time’ before Oliver Bearman joins Ferrari if the junior can deliver at Haas in 2025.