Hamilton recalls ‘almost shaking’ over seismic Ferrari switch

Lewis Hamilton has recounted the early days of his earth-shattering move to Ferrari, a decision that caught the F1 world completely off guard.

The seven-time drivers' champion switched to the Scuderia after 12 seasons with Mercedes. In that time, he and the Brackley-based squad became the most successful driver-team pairing in F1 history, racking up 14 titles as a combination.

However, the 40-year-old sought pastures new in Maranello, committing to a decision he never thought he would have the opportunity to make.

"If I’m really honest, I had accepted the fact that I’m probably not going to drive for Ferrari," Hamilton told TIME in a recent interview. "I was okay with that."

The British driver felt the chance had escaped him when he opted not to move a few years previously, despite always privately harbouring aspirations of donning Ferrari red.

The partnership has widely been billed as the championship's most iconic team joining forces with its most iconic driver, something that was ultimately set in motion by Fred Vasseur becoming team principal at the Italian squad.

When Hamilton's contract with Mercedes was up for renewal in 2023, the German marque only offered him a 1+1 deal. This left the door open for him to seek a new home following the conclusion of the 2024 campaign.

Realising a dream

The 105-time grand prix winner had made Vasseur aware of that, having raced for the Frenchman in the junior categories almost 20 years ago.

When the 56-year-old saw the opportunity to lure Hamilton to Ferrari, he made his move, calling Briton in late 2023 to prise him away.

"I remember getting off the phone and, like, almost shaking," recalled Hamilton. "I was like, 'oh God!'"

At his Colorado home, he confided in a friend he was with about the phone call. They sat together on a bathroom floor, coming to terms with the development. "I was like, holy shit," Hamilton added. "I literally just signed with Mercedes.

"It was a lot to take in, and my emotions were really high, so I honestly had to go for a walk," he explained.

It was far from an easy decision for Hamilton, who spent the following days weighing up his options, leaning towards the move he would eventually make. 

"My eyes felt really calm and present," he said before detailing how he felt in the moment: "This is the right thing for me."

He revealed the excitement he experienced as negotiations progressed. Summarising those emotions, he concluded with the following realisation from a pivotal point in his career, as he prepares to embark on a new chapter and chase the thus-far elusive and record-breaking eighth F1 drivers' championship.

"We’re in a time of reimagining the future, reimagining what really dreaming is about," Hamilton reflected. "I’m going to Ferrari, man, and that’s the biggest dream."