The turn of the new year saw Lewis Hamilton make his long-awaited move to Ferrari official, and he marked the occasion with a couple of brief posts on social media.

The seven-time World Champion perhaps nodded to what’s coming next while posting an Instagram story wearing a red jacket, helmet and goggles while he appears to be away on the ski slopes, along with an updated profile picture from his karting days.

Lewis Hamilton issues first social media updates since long-awaited Ferrari move

Hamilton is still away on his winter break, with Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur having said his first laps in red are likely to come later in January, testing a previous car.

With his move from Mercedes having been made official at the turn of the new year, however, Hamilton opted to change his profile picture from him in his early days at the Silver Arrows, to one of what looked to be among his earliest days in karting, wearing yellow overalls and a red helmet and gloves, while in a kart with his number, 44, on the front.

His version of the post on X has since gained more than 180,000 likes on X at time of writing, as he gets set for a new era at Ferrari.

🏎️ pic.twitter.com/UtIILOfCyE

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) January 1, 2025

Two reposts followed later in the day, one of Ferrari’s post saying it was a “perfect time for a follow” and mentioning Hamilton – aptly posted at 16:44 in Maranello, matching the race numbers of both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

That was followed by a repost of Ferrari’s brief statement from last February, which announced Hamilton’s move to the Scuderia from Mercedes.

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For Ferrari’s part, they played their part by following Hamilton on their social media channels – as well as the account set up for his dog, Roscoe – and posted on Instagram to say “Welcome to the family” – which gained more than 460,000 likes at time of writing.

When he was looking ahead to what his move to Ferrari might bring, Hamilton told media including PlanetF1.com in Abu Dhabi: “Of course it really sparks motivation and it’s a dream scenario for any driver to have an opportunity like this. So, don’t take that for granted.

“Also, massive respect for Carlos [Sainz] and everything he’s done within the team.

“I remember when I joined Mercedes, and it’s not an easy step to ever enter into a new team, and it takes time to build new relationships and learn the tools and everything.

“Coming into next year with that same focus, that same might that I had when I joined Mercedes and with ultimately that leap of faith, I think is exciting and exhilarating.”

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