Lewis Hamilton is only a few days away from making his debut as a Ferrari Formula 1 driver to the delight of millions of fans around the world.
Ferrari confirmed the signing of Lewis Hamilton before the start of the 2024 campaign giving the seven-time world champion plenty of time to say his farewells at Mercedes and come to terms with the decision he’d made.
Hamilton’s final year with the Silver Arrows didn’t go as well as he would have wanted, although his victory at the British Grand Prix was the perfect send-off at the team’s home race.
The seven-time world champion wasn’t able to take part in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi for his new team like some of his rivals – such as Carlos Sainz at Williams and Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber.
It meant that when Hamilton arrived at Ferrari’s factory at Maranello in the middle of January, he had a lot to do to get up to speed ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
Hamilton has been building up a relationship with Riccardo Adami his new race engineer and getting used to Ferrari’s particular processes and procedures.
The 40-year-old has never driven an F1 car with a Ferrari power unit and even the brakes will feel different to Hamilton, meaning his three days of testing in Bahrain were even more pivotal than in previous years with Mercedes.
Martin Brundle has shared with Sky Sports F1 his feelings on the upcoming season and Hamilton’s move in particular.
He’s admitted that even during testing, he’s spotted Hamilton doing something he’s ‘never seen’ before in a Formula 1 paddock.
Martin Brundle says he’s ‘never seen’ Lewis Hamilton smile so much after Ferrari move
Reflecting on Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, Brundle said: “As the old adage goes, a change is as good as a rest and the Ferrari move does seem to be working for Lewis. I’ve never seen him smile so much.
“While we’ve seen in the past the likes of Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda return after time out of the sport, Lewis has never had a break from F1 since he started in 2007, but I do think this Ferrari move is the equivalent for him.
READ MORE: Martin Brundle thinks it’s a ‘travesty’ Mercedes didn’t replace Lewis Hamilton with ‘perfect’ F1 rival
“We’re seeing that just observing him and reading his words. He seems really energised and invigorated by this new opportunity.
“Lewis has been very smart too. Obviously, he knows team boss Fred Vasseur very well from times of old, but he’s had an advance party at Ferrari to integrate as quickly as he can into the team.
“Angela Cullen has returned, while Marc Hynes has been back in the fold for a year or two now already.”
Lewis Hamilton has already made promise to Ferrari fans ahead of the 2025 F1 season
Hamilton would have been well aware of how passionate Ferrari’s fans are from his 18 previous seasons on the grid.
Monza is Ferrari’s iconic home and Hamilton set the fastest lap in F1 history at the circuit earlier in his career.
Unfortunately, it was when no fans were allowed to attend the track in 2020, but his various victories in front of the Tifosi didn’t always make him the most popular driver at the circuit.
READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family
Their opinion of the seven-time world champion would have quickly flipped once they knew he was joining Ferrari as he could deliver the success they’ve craved for so long.
Hamilton has already made a promise to Ferrari’s fans ahead of the season as a sign of how committed he is to the project.
It’s a positive sign that Brundle has spotted Hamilton looking happier than ever after joining the Scuderia, he’ll be desperate to once again challenge for the drivers’ championship.
Leave feedback about this