Lewis Hamilton expressed his anticipation and gratitude as he looks forward to realizing his childhood dream of driving for Ferrari in the upcoming F1 season. Despite this exciting prospect, the seven-time Formula One champion emphasized his unwavering commitment to Mercedes until the end of the current season. Hamilton acknowledged the range of emotions he has experienced this week, highlighting his immense fortune in achieving childhood dreams with Mercedes and now having the opportunity to don the iconic Ferrari red.
In an Instagram post, Hamilton shared his reflections on the upcoming move, stating that the time is right for a change and a new challenge. Drawing parallels to his decision to join Mercedes from McLaren 11 years ago, he emphasized the importance of taking a leap of faith into the unknown. Hamilton recalled the skepticism surrounding his move to Mercedes in 2013 but affirmed that it was the right decision, much like he feels about joining Ferrari now. He expressed excitement about contributing to this new opportunity and the collaborative potential with his new team.
Having clinched six of his seven titles with Mercedes, Hamilton reflected on the pivotal moments of his career with the team. He acknowledged the support of Mercedes, team principal Toto Wolff, and the influential role played by Niki Lauda, the non-executive chairman of Mercedes until his passing in 2019. Despite not adding to his Grand Prix wins since 2020, Hamilton is optimistic about the future and is ready to embark on a new chapter with Ferrari.