Lewis Hamilton embraces his Ferrari transition, admitting he underestimated his need for change and is rapidly adapting to his new team.
Lewis Hamilton made his official debut as a Ferrari driver with the season launch, followed by the presentation of the SF-25, which he will drive this F1 season. The Briton is pleased with his first weeks within the Scuderia.
“This is a huge day for me; it’s the first time I’m unveiling a car with Scuderia Ferrari, and it’s something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. There’s a lot of excitement—the first time at the factory, the first time behind the wheel, the first meeting with the whole team,” Hamilton said.
“Meeting the team has been incredible. I’ve seen how committed everyone is, and we share the same dream. It’s unique. And it’s quite surreal—I never thought I’d have the chance to be here at Ferrari, and I’m grateful and proud.”
“This car will be my car—Charles’ and mine. I drove last year’s car, which was designed for other drivers, but this one will be my car, designed for me, and that’s really cool.”
The seven-time world champion admits he had long wondered what life at Ferrari would be like, especially after signing with the team at the start of 2024. He is happy to see the passion and dedication of the people around him, which gives him a real sense of enjoyment—something he suggests he had lost at Mercedes.
“I announced I was joining the team early last year, and it’s been a long year. There were a lot of questions, a lot of thinking about what it would be like, how it would unfold, and what the people would be like.”
“I had no expectations, but I tried to imagine it—to picture the scale of the team and what it would be like to be part of it. And just arriving at the factory, it’s a place where you enjoy being. We work until 10 p.m., and no one wants to leave—everyone is happy to be here.”
“There is still a lot to do to get to know each other, but I try to come in every day with the mindset of wanting to learn. I knew I needed a change, and it was only when I arrived here that I realized just how much I needed it. I come to work every day with a smile, and it’s refreshing.”
As he faces the biggest change of his career, he explains how he is adapting: “I’ve been working with the engineers since my second day at the factory. I’m trying to get to know them and make sure they get to know me as quickly as possible.”
“Everything is different here. I remember when I moved from McLaren to Mercedes—it was different, but I still had a Mercedes engine, so it was somewhat similar. But coming here, to Italy, everything is so different!”
“The tools we use, the terminology, but everyone has been incredible, and everyone is very motivated and deeply involved. And for me, being able to enjoy the testing, pushing the limits—that’s been fun, and we’ve done as much as possible in the short time we had.”
He has also discovered a new teammate in Charles Leclerc and reveals that the two get along very well, as they always have in the past.
“Working with Charles has been quite smooth—there have been no issues. I knew him before coming here; we always talked on race weekends, and there has always been a lot of respect between us.”
“We’ve had things in common—music, though he plays the piano better than I do, and fashion. So we’ve had topics to talk about, and we’ve always gotten along well. Last year, we spent some evenings together and had a great time, so I wasn’t worried. I know we’ll push together to bring this team to the front.”
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Hamilton: Ferrari Move Made Me Realize My Need for Change Hamilton: Ferrari Move Made Me Realize My Need for Change Hamilton: Ferrari Move Made Me Realize My Need for Change
