Not official yet, but I think it's a good decision. Everyone criticised his move to Merc from McLaren, and I'm sure everyone will do the same here, but team dominance comes and goes. The new...
Not official yet, but I think it's a good decision.
Everyone criticised his move to Merc from McLaren, and I'm sure everyone will do the same here, but team dominance comes and goes. The new regulations are a good opportunity for a previously behind team to make a huge jump (or vice-versa).
Ultimately there's no way of knowing if it's a good or bad move until the cars actually come out. Plus, who doesn't want to drive the red stallion at least once in their career?
Edit: It's official. Hamilton has been my joint favourite driver since Räikkönen. He won Ferrari's last championship win in 2007 (still!) Winners again in 2027 maybe?
Official article from Mercedes, announcing Lewis' departure at the end of the 2024 season: https://www.mercedesamgf1.com/news/mercedes-amg-f1-lewis-to-part-ways EDIT: Ferrari also announcing...
I woke up to this 9 hours ago. It was still rumors and I thought, "nah, this isn't happening. same thing happened last year". I mean, it all started with Will Buxton pulling an ol' Albert Fabrega...
I woke up to this 9 hours ago. It was still rumors and I thought, "nah, this isn't happening. same thing happened last year". I mean, it all started with Will Buxton pulling an ol' Albert Fabrega with his "absolutely massive announcement" tweet. It couldn't be for real, no?
But every hour some new information drops and I really think this is for real now. What sealed the deal for me was the Sky Sports video confirming that the Brackley factory was told about Hamilton leaving. Apparently there'll be an announcement at 7pm GMT today. Let's see.
Same. I saw the Italian reports, but I thought "ah, they do this every year". But the volume and quality of the media was substantially better than usual. And then the Sky report (the one linked)...
Same. I saw the Italian reports, but I thought "ah, they do this every year". But the volume and quality of the media was substantially better than usual.
And then the Sky report (the one linked) dropped and then the "oh shit" moment happened.
Lewis Hamilton in 2021: the Mercedes driver said, as reported by Sky Italia. Source: Scuderia Ferrari Fans
Lewis Hamilton in 2021:
”For years, whenever I come to Monza and see the fans, I hear them saying ‘Come to Ferrari!’,”
the Mercedes driver said, as reported by Sky Italia.
“It warms my heart but it’s pretty amazing that I’ve never driven for Ferrari after so many years. Because it’s a dream for everyone, a goal to be achieved. It’s never really been possible and I will never quite know exactly why.“
I want to know how this affects Leclerc. He had to have known that Lewis was coming on board, or at least a very high probability of it, right? I know Leclerc's extension has been signed for a bit...
I want to know how this affects Leclerc. He had to have known that Lewis was coming on board, or at least a very high probability of it, right? I know Leclerc's extension has been signed for a bit now. And obviously Ferrari and Hamilton had to have been talking for a bit to end up here.
I feel the teams have a No1 and No2 dynamic with their drivers, for better or worse. Except Ferrari with Sainz and Leclerc. I suppose a Leclerc and Hamilton pairing is no different, but with Hamilton's obvious history, doesn't this make the latter more likely to be No1? Will Ferrari start "prioritizing" Lewis, even though he's the newer driver? That said, Leclerc, compared to at least Sainz, tends towards passive. So who knows.
Leclerc wasn't passive at all at the start of 2022 when he had a real chance at the championship. Put him in a proper competition, with a real car, and you'll see a fired-up Leclerc. These people...
Leclerc wasn't passive at all at the start of 2022 when he had a real chance at the championship. Put him in a proper competition, with a real car, and you'll see a fired-up Leclerc. These people are racers, and they'll push when pushed. It's going to be super interesting seeing these two as teammates, but Leclerc will not be moving to the sides for Hamilton, mate. 2025 is gonna be epic.
Hamilton does have an incredible fanbase and is happy cultivating the kind of following that other drivers maybe can't or wouldn't want anyway. I think the Tifosi and Hamilton are a match made in...
Hamilton does have an incredible fanbase and is happy cultivating the kind of following that other drivers maybe can't or wouldn't want anyway. I think the Tifosi and Hamilton are a match made in heaven. If he can perform and bring home trophies (please Ferrari, please let Vasseur have decent executive decision-making capacity), they'll be in raptures.
I could see Red Bull picking him up next year over Checo. He's probably the best driver that will be on the market. Even if RB don't pick him up, I'm sure some other top teams might.
I could see Red Bull picking him up next year over Checo. He's probably the best driver that will be on the market. Even if RB don't pick him up, I'm sure some other top teams might.
Made official now. Honestly, my initial knee-jerk reaction to the rumors and news was "WTF" but after letting it marinate in my mind for a bit, this honestly makes a lot of sense to me. Ferrari...
Made official now. Honestly, my initial knee-jerk reaction to the rumors and news was "WTF" but after letting it marinate in my mind for a bit, this honestly makes a lot of sense to me. Ferrari have been poaching engineers from rival teams for a while and one of the recent poaches was an engineer close to Lewis. Both Lewis and this engineer (forgot his name, sorry!) both disagreed with the rest of Mercedes on the W13/14 zero-pods concept but seems like they were overruled by the majority. Also sounds like Lewis has been thinking of this for a while as he exercised his exit option back in August.
Anyways, I'm excited to see where this takes Lewis and Ferrari. I really was not a fan of the 2023 F1 season and started following WEC, IMSA and Indycar more closely instead. Hope things can change in the near future but I'm not super hopeful.
My partner sent this to me about 2 minutes after I woke up. Was incredulous at the time: "WTF, this feels like typical out of season chat." but quickly confirmed that the factory was going to be...
My partner sent this to me about 2 minutes after I woke up. Was incredulous at the time: "WTF, this feels like typical out of season chat." but quickly confirmed that the factory was going to be briefed. Lewis must have real confidence in Frédéric Vasseur's ability to button up Ferrari's race execution. Assuming that, Ferrari could be a better seat that Mercedes. Just surprised to see this move at this point in his career. Lewis taking notes from Alonso?
WTF.
That is all.
Not official yet, but I think it's a good decision.
Everyone criticised his move to Merc from McLaren, and I'm sure everyone will do the same here, but team dominance comes and goes. The new regulations are a good opportunity for a previously behind team to make a huge jump (or vice-versa).
Ultimately there's no way of knowing if it's a good or bad move until the cars actually come out. Plus, who doesn't want to drive the red stallion at least once in their career?
Edit: It's official. Hamilton has been my joint favourite driver since Räikkönen. He won Ferrari's last championship win in 2007 (still!) Winners again in 2027 maybe?
Official article from Mercedes, announcing Lewis' departure at the end of the 2024 season: https://www.mercedesamgf1.com/news/mercedes-amg-f1-lewis-to-part-ways
EDIT: Ferrari also announcing Lewis: https://twitter.com/ScuderiaFerrari/status/1753133900925129140
I woke up to this 9 hours ago. It was still rumors and I thought, "nah, this isn't happening. same thing happened last year". I mean, it all started with Will Buxton pulling an ol' Albert Fabrega with his "absolutely massive announcement" tweet. It couldn't be for real, no?
But every hour some new information drops and I really think this is for real now. What sealed the deal for me was the Sky Sports video confirming that the Brackley factory was told about Hamilton leaving. Apparently there'll be an announcement at 7pm GMT today. Let's see.
WTF
Same. I saw the Italian reports, but I thought "ah, they do this every year". But the volume and quality of the media was substantially better than usual.
And then the Sky report (the one linked) dropped and then the "oh shit" moment happened.
Lewis Hamilton in 2021:
the Mercedes driver said, as reported by Sky Italia.
Source: Scuderia Ferrari Fans
I want to know how this affects Leclerc. He had to have known that Lewis was coming on board, or at least a very high probability of it, right? I know Leclerc's extension has been signed for a bit now. And obviously Ferrari and Hamilton had to have been talking for a bit to end up here.
I feel the teams have a No1 and No2 dynamic with their drivers, for better or worse. Except Ferrari with Sainz and Leclerc. I suppose a Leclerc and Hamilton pairing is no different, but with Hamilton's obvious history, doesn't this make the latter more likely to be No1? Will Ferrari start "prioritizing" Lewis, even though he's the newer driver? That said, Leclerc, compared to at least Sainz, tends towards passive. So who knows.
It'll be interesting.
Leclerc wasn't passive at all at the start of 2022 when he had a real chance at the championship. Put him in a proper competition, with a real car, and you'll see a fired-up Leclerc. These people are racers, and they'll push when pushed. It's going to be super interesting seeing these two as teammates, but Leclerc will not be moving to the sides for Hamilton, mate. 2025 is gonna be epic.
Hamilton does have an incredible fanbase and is happy cultivating the kind of following that other drivers maybe can't or wouldn't want anyway. I think the Tifosi and Hamilton are a match made in heaven. If he can perform and bring home trophies (please Ferrari, please let Vasseur have decent executive decision-making capacity), they'll be in raptures.
crap, now my boy Sainz is in limbo
I could see Red Bull picking him up next year over Checo. He's probably the best driver that will be on the market. Even if RB don't pick him up, I'm sure some other top teams might.
I have been saying this for a year now and I'm excited it may come true. I would love for it to happen!
Wow. I legit did not see this coming. We are actually witnessing history.
Man, didn't he just test drive the new Mercedes? Must have been baaaaad.
Made official now. Honestly, my initial knee-jerk reaction to the rumors and news was "WTF" but after letting it marinate in my mind for a bit, this honestly makes a lot of sense to me. Ferrari have been poaching engineers from rival teams for a while and one of the recent poaches was an engineer close to Lewis. Both Lewis and this engineer (forgot his name, sorry!) both disagreed with the rest of Mercedes on the W13/14 zero-pods concept but seems like they were overruled by the majority. Also sounds like Lewis has been thinking of this for a while as he exercised his exit option back in August.
Anyways, I'm excited to see where this takes Lewis and Ferrari. I really was not a fan of the 2023 F1 season and started following WEC, IMSA and Indycar more closely instead. Hope things can change in the near future but I'm not super hopeful.
My partner sent this to me about 2 minutes after I woke up. Was incredulous at the time: "WTF, this feels like typical out of season chat." but quickly confirmed that the factory was going to be briefed. Lewis must have real confidence in Frédéric Vasseur's ability to button up Ferrari's race execution. Assuming that, Ferrari could be a better seat that Mercedes. Just surprised to see this move at this point in his career. Lewis taking notes from Alonso?
Wasn't F1 up for a change in rules that would make things fairer and more competitive? Maybe that has to with it?