Lewis Hamilton drives for Ferrari starting in 2025

Lewis Hamilton signed with Scuderia Ferrari in early 2024 and began driving for the team in the 2025 Formula 1 season. He drives the Ferrari SF-25, the team's single-seater for that year. This move ended his 12-year partnership with Mercedes, where he won six of his seven world championships.

Ferrari is based in Maranello, Italy, and is the oldest and most storied team in Formula 1. Hamilton's contract with Ferrari runs through the 2024 season, with options that extend into 2025 and beyond. He shares the garage with teammate Charles Leclerc, a Ferrari driver since 2019.

Key Takeaways

  • Lewis Hamilton drives for Ferrari starting in 2025 after signing a multi-year contract in early 2024.
  • He left Mercedes after 12 seasons, during which he won six world championships and 84 race victories.
  • Ferrari is the longest-running team in Formula 1 history, founded in 1950 and based in Italy.
  • Hamilton's teammate at Ferrari is Charles Leclerc, who has driven for the team since 2019.

Hamilton's 12 years at Mercedes and what changed

Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2013 after six seasons with McLaren. Over his time at Mercedes, he won six world championships (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) and became the team's most successful driver in history. He also set the record for most career race wins in Formula 1 during his Mercedes years.

In February 2024, Hamilton announced he would leave Mercedes at the end of that season. The decision came after a period of competitive struggle — Mercedes had fallen behind Red Bull and other teams in performance, and Hamilton had not won a world championship since 2020. Ferrari offered him a fresh challenge and the chance to pursue a record eighth world title with a different team.

Why Ferrari and what the move means

Ferrari has not won a drivers' world championship since 2007, when Kimi Räikkönen took the title. The team has been searching for a driver with Hamilton's experience and record to help end that drought. Hamilton's arrival signals Ferrari's commitment to returning to championship contention after years of inconsistent performance.

For Hamilton, the move represents a new chapter in his career. At 40 years old, he is still competing at the highest level and sees Ferrari as a team capable of building a championship-winning car. The partnership also carries symbolic weight — Ferrari is considered the most prestigious team in Formula 1, and driving for the Scuderia is a career milestone for any driver.

Hamilton's record before Ferrari

Before joining Ferrari, Hamilton had won 105 Formula 1 races, more than any other driver in history. He holds the record for pole positions (pole position is the first-place starting spot earned through may have access to) with over 150. He has also finished on the podium (top three) more times than any other driver.

Hamilton's seven world championships tie him with Michael Schumacher for the most in Formula 1 history. Schumacher won five of his titles with Ferrari (1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004), making the comparison between the two drivers and their Ferrari careers a natural one in racing circles.

The Ferrari team structure and Leclerc partnership

Charles Leclerc, Hamilton's teammate, joined Ferrari in 2019 and has been with the team through multiple regulation changes. Leclerc is one of the younger top drivers on the grid and has shown strong pace, though Ferrari's car performance has limited his championship chances. The pairing of Hamilton and Leclerc represents a mix of experience and youth.

Ferrari's team principal (the person who runs the team's operations) is Frédéric Vasseur, who joined in 2021. Vasseur has worked to rebuild Ferrari's technical structure and culture. Hamilton's arrival is part of that broader effort to return Ferrari to the front of the grid.

What happens next in Hamilton's Ferrari career

The 2025 season will be Hamilton's first full year with Ferrari. Formula 1 regulations change periodically, and 2025 brings new technical rules that affect car design. How quickly Ferrari can build a competitive car under these rules will determine whether Hamilton can pursue his eighth world championship with the team.

Hamilton has stated that he chose Ferrari because he believes in the team's potential and wants to help them win. The first season will show whether that partnership can deliver results. Ferrari's performance in 2025 and beyond will shape the narrative of this chapter of Hamilton's career.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Hamilton's contract with Ferrari?

Hamilton's Ferrari contract runs through 2024 with options that extend into 2025 and potentially beyond. The exact length of the extension options has not been fully disclosed publicly, but Ferrari and Hamilton have indicated a multi-year commitment.

Why did Hamilton leave Mercedes?

Hamilton left Mercedes after 12 seasons to pursue new challenges. Mercedes' competitive performance had declined relative to other teams, and Hamilton had not won a world championship since 2020. Ferrari offered him the opportunity to work with a historic team and pursue a record eighth title.

Has Hamilton won a championship with Ferrari yet?

No. Hamilton joined Ferrari in 2025, so his first season with the team is just beginning. Ferrari has not won a drivers' championship since 2007, and whether Hamilton can help end that drought remains to be seen.

Who is Lewis Hamilton's teammate at Ferrari?

Charles Leclerc is Hamilton's teammate. Leclerc has driven for Ferrari since 2019 and is one of the grid's fastest younger drivers. The two will share the team's two cars for the 2025 season and beyond.

What was Hamilton's best season at Mercedes?

Hamilton's most dominant Mercedes seasons were 2014 and 2015, when he won back-to-back world championships. The 2020 season was also exceptional — he won 11 races and tied Michael Schumacher's record of seven world titles at that time.