Hamilton discusses Ferrari challenge
Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari move ‘huge challenge’ from 2025 and opens up on ‘childhood dream’
Hamilton discusses the Ferrari challenge as the seven-time champion speaks at length for the first time about his shock signing for Ferrari from Mercedes for 2025. Lewis Hamilton described signing for Ferrari for 2025 as a “huge challenge.” The driver felt it was time to “start a new chapter” in his record-breaking F1 career.
Hamilton spoke publicly at length on the move that stunned F1 at the start of this month in his first F1 press conference appearance of the year on the final day of testing in Bahrain.
What Changed?
Hamilton was asked about the changes that occurred between his signing a new contract with Mercedes last August, which was initially a two-year deal until the end of 2025. It was later confirmed to have a break clause at the end of 2024 that Hamilton triggered. He explained that during the summer when he signed, he believed that his future was with Mercedes.
“But an opportunity came up in the New Year and I decided to take it.
“It was obviously the hardest decision I think I’ve ever had to make. I’ve been with Mercedes for I think it’s like 26 years. They’ve supported me and we’ve had an absolutely incredible journey together. We have created history within the sport and it’s something I take a lot of pride in and am very proud of what we’ve achieved.
“But I think ultimately I’m writing my story and I felt like it was time to start a new chapter.”
“You can be here for 20 more years, 30 more years. I can’t.”
Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff have a chat in the new season of F1: Drive To Survive S6. Now playing. pic.twitter.com/4Q7zDMzAu7
— Netflix (@netflix) February 23, 2024
Dream come true
In a social media post after the seismic announcement, Hamilton said that signing for F1’s most long-standing and famous team represented the realization of a “childhood dream” for him. During the press conference, he delved further into his description and expressed his long-standing admiration for Ferrari.
He made references to the team’s illustrious period of record-breaking triumphs with Michael Schumacher, who is still the Scuderia’s most successful driver, having won five consecutive titles for them between 2000 and 2004. During that time, Schumacher set numerous milestones which Hamilton has since either equaled or surpassed. Additionally, he mentioned that Ferrari’s most recent world championship win occurred 17 years ago.
Schumacher and Montoya tussle at the 2004 San Marino GP.
Race winner Michael Schumacher found himself accused of being “either blind or stupid” by Juan Pablo Montoya after the two men were involved in a skirmish for second place on the opening lap.
As Button made a perfect… pic.twitter.com/elgYaEVqjs
— Formula One History (@F1History1950) February 16, 2024
Surrounded by Red
“I think for every driver growing up watching history and Michael Schumacher in his prime. I think probably all of us sit in our garage and see the screen pop up and you see the driver in the red cockpit. You wonder what it would like to be surrounded by the red.” he said.
“You go to the Italian Grand Prix and you see the sea of red of the Ferrari fans and you can only stand in awe of that. It’s a team that’s not had huge success mostly obviously from Michael’s days but since 2007 [when Kimi Raikkonen won their last title] I saw it as a huge challenge.
“Without a doubt, even as a kid I used to play on GP2 [the computer game] as Michael in that car so it definitely is a dream and I’m really, really excited about it.”
Committed to driving well for Mercedes in final year
Most of the questions he faced from the assembled media were related to 2025. Hamilton cut away from one of his answers to underline his continued commitment to Mercedes for this final year. Trying to ensure their record-breaking partnership ended on a successful note.
“Just go back, about this new chapter, this chapter [at Mercedes] is still not finished.” he insisted.
“I’m still 100 percent focused on delivering for this team this year and trying to finish on a high. That’s a big, big goal for me and for the team.
“And I have absolute faith in everything and everyone in the team, and what we’ve done so far, I think is great. So I really hope that we are somehow able to close the gap to the Red Bulls somehow.”
Credit Vasseur
The legendary driver also paid particular credit to Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur ahead of a reunion with his old title-winning team boss from the junior series. He said that the surprise move “really wouldn’t have happened without him”
“I’ve got a great relationship with Fred,” said Hamilton.
Rekindled relationship
“Obviously, I raced for him in Formula 3 and we had amazing success in Formula 3 and also in GP2, and that’s really where the foundation of our relationship started.
“And we just always remained in touch. I thought that he was going to be an amazing team manager at some stage and progress to Formula 1, but at the time he wasn’t interested in that. It was really cool to see him step into the Alfa (Sauber) team. And then when he got the job at Ferrari, I was just so happy for him.
“And I think just the stars aligned. I think it really wouldn’t have happened without him. So I’m really grateful and really excited about the work that he’s doing there.”
Learning a new language?
Asked if he would learn Italian ahead of his move to the country’s effective national team, Hamilton smiled and said: “All these years I’ve not managed to learn any other languages, but of course, I will definitely try.
“I do remember when I was karting in Italy and I was able to pick up a few lines, so hopefully that will come back to me pretty quickly.”
Hamilton: Ferrari has a ‘little work to do’ on improving diversity
Hamilton and Mercedes have been striving to enhance diversity and inclusivity in their team and in F1, which has become a crucial aspect of their recent years together. They have collaborated to establish a charitable partnership called Ignite to support their cause.
When discussing with Ferrari chairman John Elkann, Hamilton emphasized his commitment to continuing this work to expand the opportunities for everyone in motorsport. He stated that Ferrari had acknowledged and embraced this, but also acknowledged that the Maranello team still needed to make some progress in this regard.
What Hamilton said
“Well, firstly, I’m immensely proud of the work that we’ve done within Mercedes since 2020,” said Hamilton.
“We’ve made some real great strides in improving the diversity within the team, and for example, within HR we’ve got a diverse HR group and that will continue beyond me, which is something that I’m really proud of.
“And as I said, I’m proud of the team for pushing so hard ahead. I think we are ahead of every other team in that in that respect, and there still is a huge amount of work within the whole sport, of which I’m speaking to Stefano (Domenicali, F1’s president) constantly and looking to work more with Formula 1.
“And of course, you look at Ferrari, they have a little work to do.
“So I’ve already made that a priority in speaking with John (Elkann) and they’re super excited to get on and work on it also.”
When is the first F1 race of 2024?
The Bahrain Grand Prix will start the 2024 season, just one week after testing, from February 29 to March 2. Both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will occur on a Saturday, due to the Muslim holy period of Ramadan. As a result, practice one and two will be held on Thursdays, while final practice and qualifying will take place on Fridays.