"Let's make it one to remember," says Hamilton as he greets the New Year and a (much anticipated) debut with his new team.

This time last year, the Briton was still very much a Mercedes driver. Of course, for years there had been media speculation linking him with a "dream" move to Maranello but the fact is that while the Maranello outfit was still effectively in the wilderness - as far as titles were concerned - the Three Pointed Star had taken Hamilton to six.

Granted, the rules revamp, not to mention the controversy of Abu Dhabi 2021, had hit Mercedes hard, but most were confident that the German team would eventually solve its issues and therefore offered its star driver the best hope of that elusive eighth title.

Then, in mid-January, once again rumours linking Hamilton with Ferrari began to emerge, but this time there was real meat to them, and on Thursday 1 February the Maranello outfit issued a short, but historic, statement.

"Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025, on a multi-year contract."

The shockwaves that went through the sport were felt hardest at Mercedes, where Toto Wolff was caught completely off guard.

While he was unable to sign-off with that eighth title, Hamilton did at least give Mercedes two wins - even if one was by default - while making a point - in both senses - by passing his teammate on the final lap of the final race.

For the most part, Hamilton has been diplomatic in terms of talking about the move to Ferrari, however from January 1, when he officially became Charles Leclerc's teammate, that changed.

"Let's make it one to remember," he wrote on Linkedin.

"Moving to Scuderia Ferrari, there's a lot to reflect on," he added. "To anyone considering their next move in 2025: embrace the change.

"Whether you're switching industries, learning a new skill, or even just taking on new challenges, remember that reinvention is powerful. Your next opportunity is always within reach."

While the sight of the seven-time world champion in red will give the sport a significant boost, it remains to be seen whether the Italian team can give him a car (and strategies) worthy of his talents, after all the likes of Prost, Alonso and Vettel all tried yet failed.

Acknowledging the excitement at the prospect of seeing Hamilton sporting the prancing horse on his overalls for the first time, team boss Fred Vasseur insists that the serious business that follows is what matters.

"Everybody all over the world is excited and for sure," he told Sky Sports, "the mechanics are also excited, but because it's always exciting to have someone who is a seven-time World Champion into the car.

"But I think after the day one, we'll have to turn this page and to be focused on the job," he warned.

Asked if the Briton's first outing with the team is likely to be emotional, the Frenchman admitted: Yeah, it's true that it's quite emotional, because I think he has this moment in his mind for probably twenty years.

"It means that it will be emotional, but it has to be emotional for one lap! And then, he has to be focused," he added.

"You know that every single team is different for sure, but we are all chasing the same goal with the same approach. What is a bit different is the passion or the emotion around the team, but I think Lewis is well prepared to manage this. I think it's much easier to arrive somewhere when the passion is at the top than the opposite."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 04/01/2025 14:35

"Haha, How unexpected....Happy New Year and come right in @Ricardo-Sanchez."

Rating: Positive (3) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by Editor, 04/01/2025 14:18

"@ Ricardo_sanchez

It's still only January 4, but yours is already a very strong contender for post of the year."

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3. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 04/01/2025 14:14

"It’s 2025, folks, but Lewis Hamilton is still living rent free in Kenji’s head. Plus ça change.

Slipped off your radar, Kenji? He’s certainly never been out of your cross hairs! "

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4. Posted by kenji, 04/01/2025 2:53

"Here we go again. I can't seem to get too excited about the Hamilton/Ferrari combo. I think I'd be more excited if it was, for example, Colapinto taking the drive. No doubt the media will amp this up to fever pitch if possible but after three years of sub par performances Hamilton has slipped off my radar. As Ferrari are a team that I like I'll be eager to see just how Charles Leclerc fronts and deals with the opposite garage. I wish him well. Likewise McLaren driver Piastri who will have to take it up to a new level if he is to mount any sort of challenge. That's where my focus will be..."

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5. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 03/01/2025 20:01

"Whatever the eventual outcome in terms of results, this is great moment for the sport. The most successful of the current generation of drivers joining the most iconic team is an exciting prospect. "

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6. Posted by habentsen, 03/01/2025 19:54

"If, and it's a big IF, he get's a WDC with Ferrari he's one of the greatest drivers in F1 for quite some time.
WDC with 3 different teams, not that many of them during the years if my memory serves me correct.

"

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7. Posted by Wokingchap, 03/01/2025 13:19

"I really hope this is not going to be the worse decision Lewis ever made, like it was for the 3 aforementioned here."

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