Lewis Hamilton sends one-word message to Ferrari fans after completing move from Mercedes

The start of 2025 officially means that Lewis Hamilton is a Scuderia Ferrari driver after almost a year of waiting.

The seven-time world champion announced his move to the Maranello outfit in February – before he stepped foot into the W15 with Mercedes for the 2024 season. The sensational move marked the end of an incredible relationship with the Silver Arrows, whom he has been with in some capacity since 1998.

Joining the Brackley-based team from McLaren in 2013, Hamilton won six of his seven titles with Mercedes between 2014-2020 and broke numerous records, including becoming the winningest driver of all time and securing the most pole positions and podiums in the sport’s history.

His departure from the team marked an emotional day for employees and fans alike. Toto Wolff bid farewell to Hamilton at his final factory visit before moving onto his next adventure with Ferrari.

The Brit has been itching to get going with the famous red team since he signed his contract earlier last year. Hamilton had the same secret meetings with Ferrari as Carlos Sainz before he moved to the team from McLaren in 2021, privately visiting Maranello and meeting his new team members.

Hamilton greeted the Ferrari mechanics in Italian in Abu Dhabi, highlighting his eagerness to get behind the wheel of a red car as his long-awaiting debut nears closer.

Lewis Hamilton tells Ferrari fans ‘andiamo’ after completing move from Mercedes

Ferrari have scheduled a test for Hamilton in January at their Fiorano Circuit in what would be his first appearance with the team. However, due to poor weather, the Maranello outfit could reschedule the test to February and could even move it to Imola or Mugello.

Ferrari plan to test Hamilton in private to prevent a ‘media circus’ and allow the 39-year-old to focus on the task ahead – getting to grips with his new team and machinery ahead of their title charge in 2025.

Posting on his LinkedIn account, Hamilton addressed his move to Ferrari for the first time since it became official at the turn of the new year – and the Brit is ready to get started as he told Ferrari fans: ‘Andiamo’, meaning ‘let’s go’ in Italian.

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“I could not be more excited for the year ahead. Moving to Scuderia Ferrari, there’s a lot to reflect on. To anyone considering their next move in 2025: embrace the change,” he said.

“Whether you’re switching industries, learning a new skill, or even just taking on new challenges, remember that reinvention is powerful. Your next opportunity is always within reach.

“Here’s to 2025—a year of embracing new opportunities, staying hungry, and driving forward with purpose. Let’s make it one to remember. Andiamo.”

Will Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes woes follow him to Ferrari?

While all his incredible accomplishments with Mercedes cannot be ignored, Hamilton’s struggles during the ground effect era are a concern ahead of his debut with Ferrari.

The 39-year-old had not won a race since 2021 until he finally grabbed two victories last year at Silverstone and Spa. The 2024 season marked his lowest finish in a championship with seventh – and he was comprehensively beaten by teammate George Russell.

Qualifying was a major issue for Hamilton as he could not find the pace to perform over one lap, getting eliminated from Q1 on four occasions. But it appears that he is looking to amend that problem as Hamilton told Frederic Vasseur ‘exactly’ why he struggled in qualifying to fix the issue with Ferrari.

His time with Mercedes did not end the way he would have hoped, but there were some moments of brilliance – including his stunning drive in Abu Dhabi from P16 to P4 – that prove he still can be competitive.

Ferrari will be looking to go one better in 2025 after losing to McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, and with Hamilton hungry for his new challenge, the Maranello outfit have a fierce line-up in the Brit and Charles Leclerc.