Lewis Hamilton between the present, in Mercedes, and the future, in Ferrari, starting from 2025. The seven-time world champion, during the usual press conference during the tests in Bahrain, takes stock of the new season, 2024, which he will experience as a Mercedes driver. “The car has undoubtedly improved, as has everyone. She bounces a little and is still stiff: but the team did a nice job over the winter”. The mind is on this new vintage, but it is impossible not to also think about 2025, when Hamilton will be a new driver for Ferrari. A choice that undoubtedly surprised and which Sir Lewis described thus: “In the summer I had signed the contract and at that moment I saw my future with Mercedes. At the end of the year, however, this opportunity presented itself and I decided to take it. The hardest decision to make. With them (Mercedes, ed.) we have written pages of history and this makes me very proud. But I think I have to write my story and I thought it was time to start a new chapter".
Hamilton explains the move from Mercedes to Ferrari: "Seeing all those fans in Monza is incredible"
For Hamilton it comes true his childhood dream: finally being able to wear the Red jersey, just like Schumacher. “I think for any young driver watching Schumacher at the peak of his career was incredible. Each of us – says Hamilton – when he sees himself on the screen he thinks about what it would be like to be a Ferrari driver. At the Italian GP, seeing all the Italian fans is incredible. I also saw it as a huge challenge. As a kid I played with Michael with that car. It was a dream and I'm really thrilled with the choice I made”. Everything is ready, therefore, for Hamilton's first arrival in Maranello: “I've never been there - explains -. I bought my first Ferrari in 2010, but I never had the chance to go there as I was in Mercedes".
The Vasseur factor
His arrival at Ferrari undoubtedly surprised many. There are definitely those who strongly wanted him in Maranello, in addition to president Elkann Vasseur, with whom Hamilton boasts an excellent relationship: “I have a great relationship with Vasseur. I raced in Formula 3 with him and we achieved great success. We built the foundation of our relationship and always stayed in touch. I always thought he would make a great team manager, but I didn't think he would be interested in me in the past. I'm happy to find him again and happy to see the work he is doing".
