The world has had to wait almost a year to see Lewis Hamilton as a Ferrari driver. He is just over a week away from making his debut for F1’s most successful team.
Hamilton stunned the world by announcing his incredible move to Ferrari from Mercedes in early 2024. The Brit enjoyed 12 record-breaking years at the Silver Arrows but he feels now is the right time to achieve his lifelong dream of racing in red.
Hamilton has signed a two-year deal with Ferrari – with an option of another – and rises to £83m-a-season with add-ons. But the seven-time champion could more than pay that back during his time with the team.
The 40-year-old’s impact on the Maranello squad has been seismic in multiple ways. Hamilton could earn Ferrari £83.6m through sponsorships and merchandising deals – earning back his yearly salary.
Hamilton is also incredibly motivated by the move to Ferrari and has looked to get stuck into work with his new team in Maranello. The Brit has been doing long hours at the factory to prepare for the 2025 season.
Hamilton has also been learning Italian and greeted his new colleagues at his first factory visit in the language – something Michael Schumacher was never liked for avoiding.
Lewis Hamilton has shown ‘big respect’ to the Tifosi – it’s the ‘perfect’ start to life at Ferrari
In January, the world watched on as Hamilton conducted his first Ferrari test at Fiorano in the SF-23. Thousands of excited fans turned up to see the seven-time champion in action.
The Tifosi turned up in numbers again in February to witness the 40-year-old’s first test in the SF-25 – even cutting down a tree to get a better view. Hamilton thanked the fans on social media and in person for their incredible and loyal support.
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It is this that, according to journalist Roberto Chinchero, has given Hamilton an ‘absolutely perfect’ start to life at Ferrari. He has done ‘exactly’ what the Tifosi want to see from their new signing.
“I think about Lewis and Ferrari and [the] Tifosi, they are having a honeymoon phase now,” said Chinchero via James Allen On F1.
“The way Lewis approached [the] Ferrari world was perfect. He did exactly what the Tifosi wants to see.
“[He] has been absolutely perfect in the approach. He has shown a big respect for Ferrari’s story and tradition.
“I remember the first day [he] arrived in Maranello and he wore a coat as Enzo Ferrari loved to do. He said some words in Italian, he shook hands with all the 700 people of the F1 department of Ferrari.
“I can tell you, I don’t know remember hope coming like that. The day Lewis did the first test in Fiorano, in all bars in Italy, people was talking about him. All TV news, all the sports media.”
What are people saying about how Lewis Hamilton will fare on his Ferrari debut at the Australian Grand Prix?
With pre-season testing in the books, the attention turned to the season opener in Melbourne. Hamilton will be keen to make an impression with Ferrari and start his stint with the team strongly.
Hamilton is reminded of his F1 debut by his first race with the Maranello outfit. The 40-year-old finished third with McLaren that day in 2007 – he will be eager to replicate that feat in 2025.
Nigel Mansell says Hamilton winning in Australia would be a ‘dream come true’ – the 1992 world champion had the privilege of racing for Ferrari as Hamilton now shares the honour of driving for the iconic team.
Mansell predicts a ‘monumental’ season for Hamilton in 2025 – he will hope that is the case after a disappointing campaign last year with Mercedes.
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