Lewis Hamilton: Driving for Ferrari was my dream

Lewis Hamilton has revealed he has decided to join Ferrari in 2025 as he is attracted by the “huge challenge” of bringing the world title back to Maranello. The seven-time world champion told reporters at the official FIA press conference in Bahrain on Friday.

Lewis Hamilton: “Everyone knows that I extended my contract last summer because I saw my future at Mercedes. However, an opportunity arose during the New Year’s holidays [перейти в Ferrari], and I decided to use it. I had to make the most difficult decision of my life.

I have been with Mercedes for about 26 years, they have supported me and together we have achieved incredible results. We have rewritten the history of the sport and I am very proud of everything we have achieved. But eventually I was writing my story and felt it was time for a new chapter.

I think every racer, growing up, is interested in the history of the sport. I saw Michael Schumacher in his best years. When we saw him climb out of the red cockpit, we probably all wondered how he felt in such an environment.

At the Italian Grand Prix we see a red sea of ​​Ferrari fans that we can only be in awe of. The team has not had great success since Michael, since 2007, and I see that we have a very difficult task ahead of us.

When I played video games as a kid, I chose Michael’s car. Driving for Ferrari was a dream of mine and I am now very excited.”

Lewis added that his transition would not have happened without Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur: “I have an excellent relationship with Fred. We have achieved success together in Formula 3 and GP2. It was during those years that our relationship began, and we have been in constant contact ever since.

I always thought he was a great team leader and thought he would one day end up in Formula 1, but he wasn’t interested in that at the time. It was great to see him move to Alfa Romeo and when he got the Ferrari job I was happy for him. It seems to me that in this case the stars aligned. I don’t think I would have gone to Ferrari without him.”

Lewis said he will try to learn Italian: “All these years I have not been able to learn foreign languages, but I will definitely try to learn Italian. I remember learning something while karting in Italy, so I hope this knowledge will come back to me soon.

However, the chapter at Mercedes is not over yet, so I am 100% focused on doing the best I can with the team this year. We will try to complete the cooperation with a high result. This is a big challenge for me and the team and I have absolute confidence in all of us.

Together we have already achieved great things and I hope that we can somehow close the gap with Red Bull.”