Lewis Hamilton Begins Ferrari Era at 40, Eyes Eighth F1 Title

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, celebrated his 40th birthday on Tuesday, marking the start of a landmark year as he transitions to Ferrari after 12 seasons with Mercedes. The British driver, now officially a Ferrari driver as of January 1, 2025, aims to secure an unprecedented eighth world title with the iconic Italian team.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, announced in February 2024, has been one of the most anticipated shifts in F1 history. The partnership between F1’s most successful driver and its most storied team has already generated significant buzz, with Ferrari’s New Year’s Day social media post welcoming Hamilton garnering nearly four million views on X (formerly Twitter).

In his first public message as a Ferrari driver, shared on LinkedIn, Hamilton expressed excitement for the year ahead. “I could not be more excited for the year ahead,” he wrote. “Moving to Scuderia Ferrari, there’s a lot to reflect on. 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.”

Hamilton’s debut in Ferrari red is expected later in January, with team principal Frederic Vasseur confirming that the Briton will test one of the team’s older cars at their Fiorano test track. This will be followed by Ferrari’s 2025 car launch on February 19, a day after F1’s season launch event at London’s O2 Arena.

Pre-season testing in Bahrain begins on February 26, where Hamilton will share driving duties with teammate Charles Leclerc. Vasseur expressed confidence in Hamilton’s ability to adapt quickly, citing the driver’s experience and access to Ferrari’s simulator for preparation.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari comes after a challenging 2024 season with Mercedes, where he struggled in qualifying against younger teammate George Russell. Despite this, Hamilton’s race performances remained strong, and he remains determined to prove his prowess with Ferrari. “Ferrari hired him to be on a level with Leclerc and fight for world championships,” said former teammate Nico Rosberg. “If he finds his old form, he could be unstoppable.”

As Hamilton embarks on this new chapter, he joins an elite group of drivers who have competed in F1 beyond their 40th birthday, including Fernando Alonso, who continues to race with Aston Martin. Hamilton’s ultimate goal is to emulate Nigel Mansell, the last driver to win a Grand Prix in his 40s, and secure Ferrari’s first Constructors’ Championship since 2008.

The 2025 F1 season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix on March 14-16, live on Sky Sports F1.