WATCH: Why did Lewis Hamilton switch to Ferrari, and how much does he have left in the tank?

Lewis Hamilton drives on the track during the first day of tests as a Scuderia Ferrari F1 driver at the Fiorano Circuit in Maranello, Italy, on January 22, 2025. Picture: Alessandro Bremec/NurPhoto via AFP

Lewis Hamilton drives on the track during the first day of tests as a Scuderia Ferrari F1 driver at the Fiorano Circuit in Maranello, Italy, on January 22, 2025. Picture: Alessandro Bremec/NurPhoto via AFP

Published 7h ago

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It was one of the most talked-about stories in Formula One last year as Lewis Hamilton announced he would be switching to Ferrari from Mercedes.

In fact, many regard the move as one of the biggest over the last decade.

Hamilton, though, is no stranger to massive change as he made a highly-publicised team change in the early part of his career.

In 2012, Hamilton stunned supporters and petrolheads the world over when he moved from McLaren - after winning his first world title - to Mercedes.

— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) January 22, 2025

It seemed ludicrous at the time as the 27-year-old prodigy would change a winning formula, but hindsight is 20/20 and it would indeed prove a genius move.

Flash forward to 2025, and with another six drivers’ world championship titles to his name the now 40-year-old is now most certainly in the twilight of his career.

Having not finished outside the top two in the drivers’ world championship from 2014 to 2020, Hamilton’s last three years have yielded sixth, third and seventh place finishes.

His results suggest his abilities are finally beginning to wane, but perhaps a change is as good as a holiday?

The excitement is bordering on hysteria on social media ahead of Hamilton driving for Ferrari for the first time.

— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) January 21, 2025

In fact, Ferrari has already begun posting videos with Hamilton testing his new vehicle at Maranello.

The video opens up with Hamilton wearing his red Ferrari overalls before hopping into his high-powered machine.

Complete with dramatic music, it then cuts to Hamilton being introduced to staff members at Ferrari. The rest of the video continues in the same vein, as it serves to work the anticipation levels up.

Will the excitement translate to more success with Ferrari for the aging Hamilton? Only time will tell.

@Golfhackno1

IOL Sport

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