Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari for 2025 has rocked the F1 world, with the announcement of his multi-year deal having kickstarted the 2024 'silly season'. It's a driver transfer of significant magnitude, with it already being viewed as the biggest switch in the history of the sport.
The seven-time World Champion will replace Carlos Sainz, who now has just under 12 months to secure a seat elsewhere on the grid for next year. It means Hamilton will be alongside Charles Leclerc, who signed a multi-year contract extension in January.
2024 will, therefore, be the 103-time race winner's 12th and final campaign with Mercedes, ending a relationship which dates back to when he was just 13 years old.
Hamilton and the Silver Arrows are the most successful partnership in the history of F1, yet the 39-year-old has opted for a new challenge in red. Given his age, the timing of his switch could be viewed as his last opportunity to complete such a move, especially ahead of the new power unit regulations in 2026.
2026 is regarded as the most likely time when Red Bull could be dethroned from the top spot, with the Milton Keynes-based side taking the sizeable gamble of becoming a power unit supplier for the first time.
Mercedes and Ferrari recognise the new regulations as their big chance, but with Hamilton's contract at Maranello including 2026, is this a sign that the Italians are looking better than the German manufacturer?
Hamilton made a similarly big move prior to the 2014 introduction of the hybrid era back at the end of 2012, when the Stevenage-born driver left McLaren for Mercedes. Many viewed it as a baffling switch; however, history states that it was a masterful decision.
There is no doubting that Hamilton is taking a huge risk leaving a team he knows so well and has been so successful with, although he will be reuniting with a familiar face at Ferrari.
Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur was the boss of F3 side ART Grand Prix back in 2005, the year Hamilton won the junior category for the outfit. Vasseur was also in charge of ART in GP2, when Hamilton won that series in 2006, before joining McLaren in 2007.
The pair clearly know each other well and something has clearly been spotted by Hamilton to trigger the huge transfer, but di Resta questions whether Vasseur is the correct person to lead Hamilton at Ferrari.
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Hamilton offered 'security'
“I guess I could have probably expected that at some point where Lewis is,” di Resta told sport.de.
“But at the same time for somebody who’s been in Formula 1 and so successful, has driven a Formula 1 car powered by a Mercedes engine for every lap and every bit of success he’s had, to change that at this point of your career I think is a big thing.
“However, I think Fred Vasseur is obviously a born racer. I raced with Fred like Lewis did years ago, you know how he comes into it.
“Is he the right man? Time will tell. Do they need a stronger personality? That’s what we’ll be looking back at in 10 years time and saying, ‘Well, was that the right thing?’
“But Lewis has obviously been convinced, he’s obviously been given security, he’s obviously been given something that’s driven him.
“I think it’s great news for motorsport. I think is great news for Formula 1 what’s happened to see him go in there and I guess it would be another step up if he goes and wins another title at Ferrari.
“That would rubber stamp already what has been an incredible career, but it’s a big task.”
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