As the 2025 Formula One season kicks off with the highly anticipated Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne this Sunday, all eyes will be on Lewis Hamilton. This race marks the start of a new chapter in his illustrious career, as it will be Hamilton’s debut for Ferrari, the iconic Italian team that he hopes will help him secure a record-breaking eighth World Championship. After dominating the sport for over a decade with McLaren and Mercedes, the 40-year-old Briton is embarking on a fresh challenge with Ferrari, aiming to add another legendary title to his collection.
The idea of Hamilton winning his eighth championship with Ferrari is a narrative that could easily come straight out of Hollywood. The connection to the film world is even more fitting, as Hamilton is a co-producer on the upcoming Brad Pitt movie, set to hit cinemas in June. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the director of Top Gun: Maverick, the film revolves around the world of motorsport. But while Hollywood fans eagerly anticipate the film’s release, Hamilton has set his sights on a real-life victory on the racetrack. He aims to bring a Formula One championship to Ferrari for the first time since Kimi Räikkönen claimed the title in 2007, marking the last time the Scuderia saw such success.
The excitement surrounding Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is palpable. The season opener in Melbourne will not just be any race for Hamilton, but a symbolic first step in his Ferrari journey. His arrival at the Italian team has sparked a fervor among fans, with many rallying behind the veteran driver as he takes on a new challenge. The buzz surrounding his move has even led to a devoted fan cutting down a tree to get a better view of Hamilton during his first test at Ferrari’s Fiorano track. Meanwhile, an Instagram post from Hamilton, showcasing him standing in a stylish black suit next to a Ferrari F40, has garnered massive attention—5.7 million likes from his 39 million followers.
Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari has made headlines across the sport, with his name dominating discussions in F1 circles. His time at McLaren and Mercedes was nothing short of historic, with seven world titles under his belt. Yet, despite his wealth of experience and success, the challenge ahead with Ferrari is formidable. The team has been in the midst of a rebuilding phase, with aspirations of returning to its former glory. For Hamilton, the task is clear: he aims to lead Ferrari back to the top of Formula One.
The journey is expected to be anything but easy. Hamilton has always been known for his fighting spirit, and he’s expressed that he’s not planning on slowing down anytime soon. In an interview with Time magazine, Hamilton spoke about the idea of age, referring to himself as “the old man” only in a state of mind. “Of course, your body ages. But I’m never going to be an old man,” he remarked. It’s a sentiment that echoes the message of the movie in which Brad Pitt plays a 40-something driver. Hamilton’s determination to defy the natural progression of age and continue competing at the highest level is central to his mindset as he prepares for the 2025 season.
However, the task ahead is monumental. Hamilton’s ambitions of securing another world title are tied not just to his personal ability but also to the performance of Ferrari. The team faces stiff competition from the dominant Red Bull, which has had a stranglehold on F1 in recent years, particularly with Max Verstappen’s impressive performance. Hamilton’s quest for a title will also serve as a personal redemption after a controversial 2021 season, where many felt he was unfairly deprived of an eighth title in the dramatic final race of the season in Abu Dhabi. A controversial decision involving the safety car procedure handed Verstappen his first championship, leaving Hamilton with a sense of unfinished business.
Yet, despite the odds and challenges that lie ahead, Hamilton is determined. As he embarks on this new journey with Ferrari, he knows the fairy-tale script of winning his eighth title with the legendary team could easily be rewritten or recast. However, that’s a risk he’s willing to take as he continues to challenge the limits of what is possible in Formula One.
With the season opener now upon us, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has already taken center stage, and the excitement surrounding his debut with the Scuderia is palpable. The first race of the 2025 season will set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling chapter in Hamilton’s storied career, as he chases history with Ferrari in a bid to solidify his legacy as one of F1’s greatest.
