RED DAWNS. The wait is over...

Originally Published in: Gazzetta dello Sport

Originally Published on: Jan 4th 2025

Originally Written by: Guisto Ferronato

Lewis Hamilton will be on track in Fiorano with Ferrari on a date to be confirmed, likely January 21 or 22. On February 18 in London, the liveries of all F1 cars will be presented at the first edition of a special event. On February 19 in Italy, the red team will present the new single-seater in Maranello and it will be an opportunity to hear Hamilton as an official driver.

ⓒ LA GAZZETTA DELLO SPORT

HAMILTON'S CHARGE : "Lets make 2025 a year to remember. Andiamo." The first words as a ferrarista with an Italian ending. At 40 years old, Lewis is ready for the challenge. "I couldn't be more excited for the year ahead." You may have won 7 F1 world championships, celebrated 105 victories in 18 seasons, be an iconic and cross-genre superstar of motorsport, fashion, and social battles for civil rights and inclusion, and live constantly in the spotlight. Yet, one can still feel excitement for a new professional challenge, even if your name is Lewis Hamilton and you have already experienced strong emotions. And not just a few... The transfer of the English champion to Ferrari in 2025 has been known for almost a year, analyzed and still being analyzed in every detail. However, yesterday Lewis added a touch of humanity, the first heartfelt words as a Ferrari employee, using his LinkedIn profile, the social platform dedicated to the world of work. Hamilton is certainly not someone who needs to post his resume to find a new job, as many do on the well-known global professional platform. But the famous network that connects the world of work became for Lewis yesterday the ideal place to share some thoughts.

Feelings Leaving Mercedes - that raised him and brought him to become the most successful driver in F1 to move to the most famous team in the world is not actually a trivial transition in working life, not even for someone like him: "Moving to Ferrari is something to think about a lot.” Over the years, Lewis has often shared his feelings with the fans, in victories and defeats. And since this moment can also be a source of inspiration to many, Hamilton did not miss the opportunity to emphasise its value: "To anyone thinking about how to make the next move in 2025: embrace change. Whether you are changing sectors, acquiring a new skill, or even just facing new challenges, remember that being able to reinvent yourself is something powerful. Your next opportunity is always within reach." And the final exhortation from which it is understood how Lewis can't wait to start this new exciting adventure. "2025 is starting, a year to seize new opportunities, stay hungry, and move forward with purpose. Let's make it a year to remember." In Italian, the concluding word of the post: "Andiamo," followed by a red single-seater and a heart. Naturally red. Like the color of a child's helmet in the photo below, in karting before becoming a legend.

The big dream A message for his new team and the millions of Ferrari fans who can't wait to see him at the wheel of the red car. But also a proclamation of the spirit with which he will immerse himself in the new reality. Next Tuesday, Hamilton will turn 40 and ahead of him is the electrifying prospect of going to race for the eighth world title: the highest and unexplored peak of motorsport, driving for the Maranello team, the most prestigious in the world. An exciting combination just to think about, let alone experience. It can be done because beyond the threshold of 40 years, three world champions have already graduated: Juan Manuel Fangio (47), Giuseppe Farina (43) and Jack Brabham (40). And in the end, the premises are there because Ferrari came close to the Constructors' title in the last championship. From the Dutch GP, the first race after the summer break, to the last race in Abu Dhabi, Charles Leclerc, his future teammate, is the driver who has earned the most points of all (Ferrari more than any other rival team). And in 2025, the technical regulations will still be frozen: why not dream of the decisive step towards the title that is missing since 2007? Who knows if Lewis's instinct has once again hit the mark, like when he decided to leave McLaren for Mercedes. And we know how that turned out.

Towards Melbourne The next steps? Ferrari has not yet provided many details. Lewis will drive the simulator and will spend a few days on the track in Florano on a date to be confirmed (January 21 or 22). On February 18, the presentation in London of the team liveries, then on the 19 the presentation of the new Ferrari single-seater in Italy. The first pre-season tests will be from February 26 to 28 in Bahrain. The racing debut will be in Australia on March 14-16 weekend.

[Translation proof reading by @F1REAKS / X]