The recent announcement of Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari in 2025 sent shockwaves through Formula One. Hamilton is a 7-time world champ and, arguably, the greatest ever F1 driver. Ferrari is the sport's most decorated team.
The Ferrari team boasts an illustrious and successful history in Formula One, it has 16 World Constructors' Championships, the most in F1 history. And it has 15 Drivers' Championship wins.
Ferrari also has 242 F1 Grand Prix wins, 239 Pole positions, and 792 podium finishes, the most in F1 history. Its legendary drivers include Alberto Ascari, Juan Manuel Fangio, Niki Lauda, Michael Schumacher, Kimi Räikkönen, and Sebastian Vettel. Ferrari dominated the sport on two occasions, in the 1960's and 1970's with John Surtees and Niki Lauda. And then again in the early 2000's with Michael Schumacher. Since then the team has struggled a bit, but in recent years they have been showing some pace and are threatening to win another title. In 2022 they had a strong start but faced some bad strategic decisions. The car itself looked good. In the 2023 season Ferrari finished second in the Constructors' Championship, showcasing its true potential, but falling just short of the title. Everything has fallen into place though, they just need the best driver driving for them.
Even though Ferrari hasn't secured a championship since 2008, their historical achievements and passionate fan base solidify their position as a powerhouse in Formula One. They continue to strive for championship glory, and their journey in the sport remains captivating for fans worldwide. In their efforts to win again, they have poached Lewis Hamilton from the Mercedes team. Something which came as a surprise to almost everyone. So why not put the best driver ever with the best team ever, it makes sense for Ferrari. They are getting an experienced driver who has had a storied career in the sport of F1.
Lewis Hamilton started karting at age 8, winning the British Championship by age 10. Hamilton dominated the European and world karting championships, becoming the youngest-ever number 1 ranked driver at 15. He progressed through junior formulas, winning British Formula Renault and Formula Three Euroseries championships. Hamilton debuted in Formula 1 with McLaren in 2007, finishing runner-up in his first season (a rookie record). Then he won his first World Championship in 2008, becoming the youngest-ever Champion, ahead of Schumacher and Vettel. Hamilton then won six more World Championships with Mercedes in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, thereby equaling Michael Schumacher's record of seven titles. Starting at the end of this month Hamilton will be back racing for Mercedes for one more season before making the move to Ferrari for 2025. He already has 103 race wins in an F1 car, I suspect he will have many more to come. Anyone that thought he was going to retire quietly into the night, so to speak, were wrong. Hamilton is not going out without another big fight.
The news of this change up has electrified the sport of Formula One for the coming season. All eyes will be on Hamilton and Ferrari as they shape up to join forces next year. There is no telling what could transpire this season with some drivers having nothing on the line, with others having everything to prove. Loyalties will be tested as teams and drivers inevitably clash over the course of this year. I predict there are going to be some epic moments in 2024 as the new state of Formula One emerges. More reasons for thinking this will become apparent in my next blog article. Hamilton still has something to prove.
