Lewis Hamilton is embracing Ferrari with confidence, calling it a “natural” fit—but even for a seven-time champion, the challenge is immense.
“I know I am exactly where I am meant to be. It feels natural. It feels right.”
This is how Lewis Hamilton explained why he has no doubt about his decision to leave Mercedes F1 for Ferrari, believing it was the right choice more than a year ago.
And after testing old Ferraris, the new one, and taking part in the F1 show in London, his conviction has only grown stronger.
“100%. I don’t have the slightest doubt or question in my mind. I am in the right place at the right time, and it is a great privilege to be here, to join this team, and to work with everyone to try to build and continue the great historical tradition of this team.”
“Every day has been exciting. Even in London, walking onto that stage dressed in red was something completely new for me.”
“Being able to meet and experience the fans is something very different when doing it as an opponent or as a Ferrari driver. Starting this journey with them and the team is something that has left me speechless.”
While Hamilton has already explained how different the Ferrari is from the Mercedes, he has also noted that the entire atmosphere within the Scuderia is a whole new world to discover.
“Ferrari is very different. From the moment you put on the suit and step into the garage, put on the helmet and get into the cockpit, you feel this incredible passion. It is absolutely thrilling and exhilarating. This team has an incredible history, and when I was a kid, it was a dream for me to race for Ferrari, and I still have to pinch myself to believe it. I have so many expectations.”
“But this step is huge. It couldn’t be bigger. The organization is massive. The passion adds to it—from the fans, the Tifosi, the people within—along with this desire to win. And you don’t want to let people down. You want to be able to deliver.”
To rise to the challenge, Hamilton did not arrive as a seven-time world champion to be welcomed like a king. On the contrary.
“The way I’ve chosen to approach this year—my resolution, my mindset—is that I must elevate myself in absolutely every area. It’s not just about saying, ‘This is who I am, and I have to fit in.’ I need to improve in all aspects: my physical fitness, my time management, how I engage with my engineers, the time I spend at the factory—all these different things. That’s what I have done, what I am doing, and what I will continue to do in this pursuit of perfection and the success I aim for.”
“But it’s a lot of work, I have to say. This whole new culture, the different language, all the new brands I am working with—every day is new, I experience something new, which is truly exciting.”
What is certain is that the seven-time world champion has made a strong impression, as revealed by Jean Alesi, who remains very close to the Scuderia.
“I know a lot of people at Ferrari. He has impressed everyone with his presence, the way he introduced himself to the team.”
“It was really a cultural shock for Ferrari to have such a champion. And without taking anything away from Charles and Carlos Sainz, so far, he has impressed everyone.”
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Hamilton: Ferrari Feels Right, But the Challenge Is Huge Hamilton: Ferrari Feels Right, But the Challenge Is Huge Hamilton: Ferrari Feels Right, But the Challenge Is Huge
