Lewis Hamilton created arguably F1’s biggest transfer in history at the start of 2024 by announcing his decision to join Ferrari.
The seven-time champion had been with Mercedes since 2013 and had broken numerous records with the Silver Arrows. He became the sport’s most winningest driver and claimed six drivers’ titles and eight constructors’ championships with the Brackley-based team.
Hamilton was out of contract at the end of the 2024 season – Mercedes had the option to extend by a further year. But the Brit opted to make the switch to Maranello, replacing Carlos Sainz at Ferrari.
Toto Wolff was not surprised by Hamilton’s decision as his contract was running out. The 40-year-old has expressed it is a lifelong dream to race for Ferrari – he will make his longly-anticipated debut in red at the Australian Grand Prix.
With the announcement being made before the 2024 season, Mercedes had to compete knowing that their star driver was leaving for a fierce rival – something Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur had planned.
Fred Vassuer tells Drive to Survive he ‘deliberately’ signed Lewis Hamilton before 2024 to ‘attack the season’
Ferrari were the only team besides Red Bull to win a race in 2023 – courtesy of Sainz in Singapore. The Maranello outfit looked to carry the momentum and take the fight to the frontrunners in 2024.
As Vasseur explained on season seven, episode one of Drive to Survive, the Frenchman wanted to ‘attack the season’ with the signing of Hamilton behind them. He admits the timing of the news was done ‘deliberately’.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory
Vasseur said in French: “The timing I did it on purpose. I did it because, for us, it was important to attack the season with that behind us. So we did it completely deliberately and I think it was a good decision.”
It can be argued the seismic signing spurred Ferrari on as they finished second in the constructors’ championship last year – 14 points behind McLaren – and collected five wins across the season.
On the other hand, F1 saw a more aggressive persona from Sainz on track as he recorded his best season to date while knowing he was leaving Ferrari. Claire Williams felt ‘desperately sorry’ for Sainz, saying that he would have taken the exit ‘personally’.
What has Toto Wolff now said about Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari after pre-season testing?
Mercedes opted to sign Kimi Antonelli to replace Hamilton, promoting George Russell to team leader. Wolff says Hamilton was wary of Antonelli’s rise, with his exit to Ferrari facilitating the Italian’s move to F1.
The Austrian sees Antonelli as a star of the future and will hope he can – in the long run – replicate the success of his predecessors. But it will be strange not having one of the all-time greats in the team – Wolff admitted it was ‘unusual’ not having Hamilton for the W16’s shakedown in Bahrain.
Mercedes showed some encouraging signs in pre-season testing during long runs and over one lap. The Silver Arrows completed more laps than any other team, with Antonelli topping the timesheet in the morning session on day one.
But they will have fierce competition from McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari. Wolff said Hamilton was ‘very impressive’ in pre-season – he will want to get the edge over the Brit in 2025.
Leave feedback about this