Has Hamilton really made the right decision joining Ferrari?

Lewis Hamilton's announcement ahead of this season that he will join Ferrari next season on a multi-year deal sent shockwaves throughout F1, but after hitting the halfway point of the current campaign, has he made the right decision?

Many assumed that after working with Mercedes since he was just 13 years old, Hamilton would end his career as a driver for the Silver Arrows. 

Based on how the Brackley-based team started the season, Hamilton's choice seemed like a stroke of genius. 

Ferrari flew out of the starting blocks and took the fight to Red Bull, something which must have caught Hamilton's attention whilst he was struggling to get to grips with Mercedes' current package.

As we all know, situations change rapidly in F1, and it is Mercedes that now has the better car, and by some margin it would appear. 

Hamilton finally ending his 946-day winless streak two weeks ago at the British Grand Prix was one of the most emotional moments in recent times, although it led to a key question being raised. Is Hamilton doing the right thing by leaving?

There are two ways of looking at that question...

No

Starting on why Hamilton might have made a mistake, Mercedes is currently the strongest it has been since 2021. 

After the seven-time world champion crossed the line at Silverstone to claim a 104th career victory, his emotional outbursts and tears over the radio gave the impression that it suddenly dawned on the team and driver that it was potentially their last win together. 

For someone who has been supported by the same company since he was 13, saying goodbye, despite his age, will be one of the most difficult moments of his life. Arguably, that farewell will be even harder should Mercedes' current form continue. 

Team boss Toto Wolff has proudly proclaimed Mercedes is back after finally understanding the data which has been troubling it since the current regulations were introduced in 2022. 

With more upgrades to come before 2025, there is a genuine possibility that Mercedes could enter next season – which will see minimal developments – with the strongest package. As things stand, Mercedes are only getting stronger, whilst the opposite can be said for Ferrari.

After a stunning start to the season which saw both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc claim victories in the opening eight rounds, Ferrari's campaign has turned completely on its head. The Italians are on a miserable run of form, linked to an upgrade package introduced for the Spanish Grand Prix. 

That upgrade has demoted Ferrari from second in the pecking order to a concerning fourth behind Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes. 

Worryingly, Ferrari is in a race against time to solve the problems before the end of the season because, as mentioned, minimal upgrades will be introduced next year due to the fact full attention will be on building the new cars for the 2026 regulation change.

If Ferrari fails to solve its problems before the end of this season, then Hamilton can forget winning the title next year. Meanwhile, Mercedes could have a car capable of championship success again. As things stand, Hamilton will slip backwards in the pecking order when he joins Ferrari.

Yes

On the flip side, one year of sacrifice could work hugely in Hamilton's favour. Of course, there is the chance Ferrari will fix its problems and return to a position where it can challenge for podiums and wins. 

Even if that does not happen and next year is a disaster, 2026 looks very promising. Hamilton surprised everyone in 2012 by announcing he would leave a strong McLaren team for Mercedes that was, at the time, mediocre.

The 2013 season was average by Hamilton's standards, but he was at Mercedes ready for the following year when the hybrid power units were introduced. Of course, this marked the start of the Brackley-based outfit's dominance. 

There is a chance Hamilton could pull off a similar move with Ferrari, renowned for developing impressive engines. 

If the Italian manufacturer masters the 2026 power unit regulations, Hamilton will have an incredible chance at securing an unprecedented eighth drivers' championship. Although, for the Briton, 2026 is not the only reason to leave Mercedes for Ferrari. 

Despite signing a multi-year deal, the 39-year-old is approaching the end of his career, with this his final chance to race in red. It is something he has always expressed a desire to do, following in the footsteps of Michael Schumacher, Niki Lauda, Alberto Ascari, Juan Manuel Fangio and so many other F1 greats. 

He also has the chance to further write his name into the history books and claim the Maranello-based team's first drivers' championship since 2007, and its first title overall since 2008.

Joining Ferrari also offers the chance to reunite with team principal Frederic Vasseur, someone he has a strong relationship with after racing for the Frenchman's teams in GP3 and GP2.

It is also a completely different scenario for Hamilton, who has only raced in F1 for teams based in the United Kingdom (McLaren and Mercedes).

Now he has the chance to experience a very different culture before retiring, and perhaps return the most famous manufacturer in F1 history back to the top.