Lewis Hamilton’s ‘very respectful’ stance on Ferrari move while driving for Mercedes revealed

Lewis Hamilton brought an end to one of Formula 1’s greatest partnerships in 2024 as he left Mercedes.

The Brit joined the Silver Arrows from McLaren in 2013 and went on to win six of his seven championships with the team between 2014 and 2020. Hamilton also set numerous records including the most wins, pole positions and podiums in the sport’s history.

The 40-year-old endured a difficult final three years in Brackley as the ground effect era brought difficulties to the team. Hamilton struggled to extract the best from his car as he went winless in 2022 and 2023, being beaten by teammate George Russell in the former year.

Last season was a new low for Hamilton as he registered the worst finish of his career with seventh. Although he won two races at Silverstone and Spa, he was beaten again by Russell – the first time one of Hamlton’s teammates has beaten him more than once

Hamilton confirmed his move to Ferrari in February last year – before he had even stepped into the W15 for the 2024 season. While he wanted a fresh challenge, it is clear his faith in Mercedes long-term was dwindling.

Peter Windsor says Hamilton lost his ability to be self-critical when Russell replaced Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes. The seven-time champion will be looking to regain it at Ferrari in 2025.

Lewis Hamilton was ‘very respectful’ to Mercedes when questioned about Ferrari by the media

After 12 incredible years together, it would have no doubt been an emotional farewell for Hamilton at Mercedes given all he has achieved there.

The Silver Arrows put together a special film for Hamilton to celebrate his time with the team at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Mercedes have vowed never to show the footage as that exclusively for them and the 40-year-old.

While his future was no longer with Mercedes, Hamilton was ‘very respectful’ to the team as he looked to finish his time in Brackley on a high. This is the reason why he was ‘very discreet’ when talking to the media about his Ferrari move.

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Speaking on the Sky Italy broadcast, journalist Vicky Piria said that Hamilton did not give much away about his move to Maranello at Monza as he was still under contract at Mercedes.

“It was perhaps on the one hand difficult to manage, we must say that Lewis Hamilton has always been very respectful towards the Mercedes team until 31-12-2024,” she said.

“Also at Monza we tried to get some words in Italian, some feeling on the red tide that will go [for] him at Monza and Imola this year and he has always been very discreet.

“But from January 1, 2025, he has changed, he has changed his Instagram profile picture, he has changed his attitude and entered as an integral part of Ferrari”.

How did Lewis Hamilton fare in his first Ferrari test at Fiorano?

After almost a year of waiting, the Tifosi got to see their new signing in action as Hamilton drove a Ferrari F1 car for the first time on Wednesday at the team’s Fiorano Circuit.

The 40-year-old was unable to push as hard as he would have liked due to the wet weather conditions. Hamilton’s best time was around the one-minute mark as thousands of Ferrari fans gathered to watch the historic moment.

Teammate Charles Leclerc was six seconds slower than Hamilton, but that was due to the Monagasque driver only running in the rain.

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After seeing the seven-time champion in action, Ferrari fans have already got high expectations for what is arguably the team’s biggest signing.

Ferrari fans have already demanded the world championship from Hamilton, having not won a drivers’ title since 2007 with Kimi Raikkonen,

Hamilton’s preparations for the 2025 season are officially underway and if he can get integrated with the team smoothly, he could be a force to be reckoned with as he searches for his eighth title.