When Lewis Hamilton announced his shocking switch to Ferrari before the 2024 season, the motorsport world stood still. The seven-time Formula 1 champion has been synonymous with dominance in the Silver Arrows. In his 12 seasons with the Silverstone-based squad, Hamilton won six world championships and finished runner-up twice.

With more than 80 Grand Prix victories, Hamilton forged a historic partnership with Mercedes. However, as we approach the 2025 season, the British superstar joins Ferrari for a new venture. On Monday, he formally joined the red squad at their base in Italy. True to his stature, Hamilton set the tone with a heartfelt confession as he embarks on a new journey.

A dream come true for Lewis Hamilton

Ahead of his upcoming Ferrari test, Hamilton posted a heartfelt message for both Tifosi and his fans. Sharing his pictures from the Ferrari headquarters in Maranello, Hamilton revealed his childhood dream of driving in the red. Hamilton revealed that the journey to Ferrari marks a return to his roots of chasing childhood dreams.

“There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever, and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days. I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career that I never thought possible, but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red. I couldn’t be happier to realize that dream today. Today, we start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together,” Hamilton wrote with a picture of the iconic Ferrari F40.

This is not the first time when Hamilton reflected on his childhood dream of driving for Ferrari. In February 2024, when he announced his move to Maranello, he said, “I feel incredibly fortunate, after achieving things with Mercedes that I could only have dreamed of as a kid, that I now have the chance to fulfill another childhood dream. Driving in Ferrari red.”

Notably, Hamilton’s shift to Ferrari is not just about a fresh start. It also bridges the gap between two of the most storied legacies in Formula 1. Scuderia has been the most consistent squad in Formula 1 history. It has been a part of Formula 1 since the championship’s inception in 1950. From Niki Lauda to Michael Schumacher, Ferrari has partnered with some best in the business. With 16 constructors’ championships and 15 driver championships, Ferrari is the most successful Formula 1 team.

However, as Lewis Hamilton rose to the glory of Formula 1 in the late 2000s, Ferrari saw a decline in performance. After Kimi Räikkönen’s championship win in 2007, the Italian squad has struggled to compete against Mercedes and Red Bull. On the other hand, Hamilton dominated the F1 tracks with back-to-back championships between 2014 to 2020 (except 2016). As Hamilton embarks on a new journey, he will carry the hopes of the Tifosi on his shoulders.

Additionally, Hamilton had his first Ferrari photoshoot with the iconic F40 car. Ferrari launched the F40 in 1987 to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The car embodies the spirit of passion, innovation, and excellence of Scuderia. However, this classic car recently found itself in the limelight for an entirely different reason. It made headlines last week after Lando Norris’ car crashed in the mountains of Monaco.

McLaren driver Lando Norris’s Ferrari f40 recently crashed on the mountainous roads near Monte Carlo. A video of the crash went viral on social media, leaving fans buzzed. The video showed the driver losing control on a left-hand bend, spinning the car backward into barriers. Despite minimal damage, the incident sent ripples through the Formula 1 community. Notably, the absence of Lando Norris from the scene sparked speculations about the driver. However, fans were quick to point out that it was Norris’s friend who took the car for a ride.

Adding to the intrigue, this was not the only F40 crash to make headlines recently. Another Ferrari F40 was involved in a severe accident in the United Kingdom. In a viral video, a car can be seen veering off a wet road, crossing lanes, and rolling into a lamppost. Unlike Norris’s F40, that car suffered severe damage, especially in its rear. However, it was reported that a mechanic was driving that car after maintenance when he lost control.

It’s worth noting that last year in Abu Dhabi, Lando Norris had declined Ferrari the Constructors’ Championship. He finished ahead of the Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz to secure the championship. However, he failed to stop Max Verstappen from winning his fourth consecutive driver’s championship. As Ferrari ropes in Lewis Hamilton, the team will expect the seven-time world champion to write the script of its comeback.

Hamilton’s testing schedule with Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari comes with its challenges. As he dives headfirst into the team’s testing program under restrictive Formula 1 rules, he will race against time. Unlike other drivers, Hamilton could not participate in the post-season testing at Abu Dhabi last year due to his Mercedes obligations. This means his first stint in a Ferrari car will be limited to runs with the 2023 model.

However, Ferrari has meticulously planned Hamilton’s integration, starting with a brief run in January using their 2023 car at Fiorano. With a three-day pre-season test in Bahrain scheduled for late February, Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc will need to share limited track time to optimize their preparations. Ferrari will have a chance to run the 2025 car for 200 kilometers in a promotional event with both Hamilton and Leclerc behind the wheel.

The condensed testing window places immense pressure on Hamilton to adapt to Ferrari’s machinery and strategize for the season opener in Australia. Despite these hurdles, Hamilton’s unmatched experience and versatility offer hope for Ferrari’s resurgence. The team, which has struggled to recapture its dominant form in recent years, views Hamilton as the key to restoring its championship pedigree.