ANALYSIS: Why Lewis Hamilton decided now was the time to jump from Mercedes to Ferrari
Formula 1®Feb 01
British Driver Lewis Hamilton to Join Ferrari in 2025
The Facts
Formula One star Lewis Hamilton is set to leave Mercedes for Ferrari on a multiyear contract after the 2024 season, the two motorsport teams confirmed Thursday.
Though describing his decision to leave Mercedes as "one of the hardest" of his life, Hamilton said it was the right time to take "on a new challenge." He will join Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, replacing Spanish driver Carlos Sainz.
The Spin
Narrative A
Hamilton is at the twilight of his career, and, naturally, he couldn't ignore the lure of Ferrari — Formula One's most successful team by far in history. Having lost three back-to-back championships, a move to Ferrari could reignite his challenge for the record eighth title — which he had no real chance of winning at Mercedes.
Narrative B
Despite his poor run of late, Hamilton remains the biggest, most successful driver in F1. While, despite signing all-time greats like Fernando Alonso, Ferrari hasn't won a driver's championship in the past 15 years. The prestigious name in the sport needed F1's most decorated champion to end its drought rather than the other way around.
Narrative C
Hamilton's groundbreaking decision — less than a month from the start of the 2024 F1 season — not only deals a huge blow to Mercedes and leaves a gaping hole in its driver lineup for 2025, but it will likely trigger changes to other F1 teams' lineups. The move is ill-timed and doesn't guarantee success, considering Red Bull has dominated the sport over the past two seasons.