One of the most anticipated Formula 1 driver moves for 2025 has to be Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari.
The seven-time World Champion announced his shock switch from Mercedes at the start of the year, activating an option in his contract that enables him to leave the Silver Arrows at the end of the season.
From next year he will team up with Charles Leclerc after signing a multi-year £80 million deal with the Scuderia, a move he said offered him a chance to fulfil a “childhood dream” on social media.
Leclerc is tied down by the team until 2029, which means the two will need to develop a good working relationship to see title success return to Ferrari for the first time since 2008.
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Charles Leclerc sees ‘super opportunity’ with Lewis Hamilton
Leclerc spoke to Italian publication, La Stampa, and was asked about his relationship with Hamilton ahead of their partnership.
“There is a great deal of respect, as well as a very good relationship, but maybe we don’t see each other so much that we are friends. I am convinced that our relationship will become closer when it arrives at Ferrari, many worlds unite us, music too,” said Leclerc.
“I see it as a super opportunity, for me and the team, but also for our sport. Having a seven-time world champion on a team is a huge signal that we send out.
“It motivates me a lot to show what I am capable of and I will be able to learn from one of the best pilots ever.”
Can Hamilton and Leclerc bring title success back to Ferrari?
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari comes at a time when they are experiencing an uptake in performance in the current title battle with Red Bull.
Even though his move is largely based in anticipation of their competitiveness with the new ruleset in 2026, if they continue to close the gap to Red Bull this year they could be title contenders early on in their partnership.
Several key members of Mercedes are also set to join Ferrari, including former advisor Jerome d’Ambrosio as deputy team principal and Loic Serra who becomes head of chassis performance and engineering.
Even though Hamilton has experienced a drop in performance since Mercedes’ downfall, there is hope the move to Ferrari will reinvigorate his hunger for success and put him back on the level that enabled him to achieve five titles in a row.
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