Lewis Hamilton talks about his transfer to Ferrari: « I had agreed never to drive for Ferrari »
Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari in 2025, explains how he experienced the call from Fred Vasseur, the head of Ferrari, and the strong emotions he felt when making this decision.
In January 2024, a call shook the F1 world. Fred Vasseur, the director of Ferrari, contacted Lewis Hamilton to offer him a spot with the Scuderia. An intense moment that the seven-time world champion will never forget. In an interview for Time Magazine, Hamilton recounts: « I remember hanging up the phone and almost trembling. I was thinking: ‘Oh my God!’ » This offer challenged a career that seemed well-established at Mercedes.
However, Hamilton admits: I had accepted the fact that I probably wouldn’t drive for Ferrari. I was okay with that. A twist of fate, but also an offer he couldn’t ignore.
A difficult decision to make
It wasn’t just a career question, but rather a real dilemma. Hamilton, sitting in the bathroom of his Colorado home, had to digest the enormity of the offer. A choice with significant consequences and a sharp turn after having signed a contract extension with Mercedes a few months earlier.
knew that the decision he was going to make would change his career forever. « It was a difficult decision to make, and my emotions were very strong », he confides. This moment marked a turning point in the career of the British driver. But as he says so well, « I’m going to Ferrari, man, and it’s my biggest dream ».
In 2024, for his final season with Mercedes, Hamilton had some great victories, like at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps. But the team couldn’t create a car capable of fighting for the world championship. No hard feelings for the British driver: « There’s no bad blood. Absolutely not. We have won so many championships. »
In this new phase with Ferrari, Hamilton aims to push his dream even further. « What I can tell you is that retirement is not one of my concerns », he states. He finally has the opportunity to win that famous eighth world title with this legendary team.
A new chapter but still ambitious
At 40, Hamilton has no intention of slowing down. « I could be here until I’m 50, who knows? » he adds, determined to push the limits of his body and mind even further.
A new team, a new challenge, but always the same thirst for victory. And even though the Ferrari project is not the easiest, Hamilton seems ready to face it with the same mindset he has had throughout his career. As he said, they have all the ingredients to win world championships and they will win more. I have no doubt about it.
Who knows, maybe it will be Hamilton, in red, who will write the next great chapter of the Scuderia’s legend.
