Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, has expressed his excitement as he prepares to race for Ferrari for the first time in the upcoming 2025 season. The Briton, who made a highly publicized and somewhat controversial switch from Mercedes to the iconic Italian team at the end of last year, admitted that he is still “pinching himself” at the thought of driving for Ferrari.
Speaking at the PUMA x Ferrari “20 Years of Speed” celebration, Hamilton shared his astonishment at embarking on a new chapter in his career. “Now embarking on something brand new, for me, and something I didn’t think would happen when I turned 40,” Hamilton said. “I’m still pinching myself. Next week when I get to the race, I’ll be starting a Grand Prix in red. Like, wow. It’s… I don’t have the words to really explain just how excited I am. But I’m trying to stay cool and calm. Arriving in red at Melbourne will definitely be a cool moment.”
Hamilton, who officially joined Ferrari in January, admitted that the short time frame between his move and the start of the season has made the transition less than ideal. Despite this, the British driver is looking forward to getting back into racing action. “It’s been a long winter, but it’s also been very short,” he said. “I’m really grateful we had good testing last week. I can’t believe the race is already next week, so I’m starting my journey to Australia on Friday. That’s when it will really start to sink in a little bit as the weekend approaches.”
While the tight schedule left little time for extensive preparation, Hamilton remains confident that he and the team are as ready as possible. “I feel we are as best prepared as we could be, given the short time I’ve had. There are still things to learn, but I’m just excited to get going,” he added. “Racing is what I love. Everything else that comes with it, I love less. Being in Melbourne will bring back memories of my first Grand Prix there, which is special.”
One of the key aspects that Hamilton is finding truly special is the environment at Ferrari. Describing his experience since making the switch, Hamilton shared how working for the prestigious team feels completely different from his previous experiences. “Every day here is just such a special feeling,” he explained. “You don’t feel like you’re at work and you don’t want to leave. It’s pretty iconic.”
In addition to the excitement of joining Ferrari, Hamilton also had the opportunity to reflect on the team’s rich history. The celebration event, which marked Ferrari’s 20-year partnership with PUMA, allowed Hamilton to appreciate firsthand the legacy of the Ferrari brand. “Look at this place we’re in now, with Puma and all the historic cars they have here,” he said. “It’s great to be able to finally see Ferrari’s history up close.”
As part of the event, PUMA unveiled Ferrari’s race kit for the 2025 season, highlighting the blend of innovation and legacy that has defined the iconic team. Maria Valdes, the Chief Product Officer at PUMA Group, emphasized the significance of the partnership, noting that this year marks both the 20th anniversary of their collaboration and the presence of exceptional drivers in Ferrari’s lineup. “We had a fantastic 2025 inspiration,” Valdes said. “This is the perfect blend of innovation, pure performance, and Ferrari’s legacy. It’s a unique year for us.”
Valdes also discussed PUMA’s commitment to creating the best possible gear for the team’s drivers. “Our mission is always to serve the athlete first,” she stated. “We strive to provide the perfect fit, the perfect comfort, and integrate all our innovations to help Ferrari be the most successful team this year.”
Hamilton’s excitement about his new chapter with Ferrari reflects the anticipation and enthusiasm surrounding the start of the 2025 F1 season. As he prepares to race in Melbourne next week, it is clear that his move to Ferrari has brought a new energy to his career and to the team’s pursuit of success.
