Lewis Hamilton is set to officially begin his tenure as a Ferrari driver next week, marking a new chapter in the seven-time world champion’s illustrious career.

As an employee of the Scuderia, his initial days at Maranello will involve a mix of meetings, simulator sessions, and track time at Fiorano. However, Ferrari is keeping the schedule tightly under wraps.

This secrecy stems from concerns over the logistical challenges posed by Hamilton’s presence. Thousands of Tifosi are expected to gather if details of his test become public, making it a “hard job for the police” to manage the crowds.

Team principal Fred Vasseur is keen to minimize distractions, believing that maintaining focus will benefit both Hamilton and the team.

A winter reset is clearly crucial for Hamilton, who endured the statistically worst season of his career in 2024. Mercedes concluded the year with a disappointing fourth-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship, nearly 200 points behind McLaren.

The arrival of young talent Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes signaled a fresh start for the team, but Hamilton’s decision to move on suggests he was seeking a similar reboot.

Hamilton’s Ferrari contract, officially described as a “multi-year” agreement, has sparked speculation. Initial reports suggested a two-year deal with an optional third year, but Formula1.com journalist Lawrence Barretto cites rumors that Hamilton has already committed to a full three-year term, taking him through the 2027 season when he will be nearing 44.

This aligns with Hamilton’s earlier request to Mercedes for a three-year extension, which Toto Wolff declined. Frustrated by what he perceived as a lack of commitment from the team he helped win six world titles, Hamilton opted for a one-plus-one deal with Mercedes. This allowed him to activate an exit clause following talks with Ferrari.

A three-year commitment from Ferrari would represent a significant vote of confidence from Vasseur, especially after Hamilton’s difficult season raised questions about his performance.

To silence any doubts, Hamilton will need to prove he’s not in decline and hold his own against teammate Charles Leclerc. If he succeeds, the struggles of 2024 could be dismissed as an anomaly linked to Mercedes’ W15 car.

An adjustment period is expected as Hamilton adapts to Ferrari. Mistakes, such as the time he mistakenly entered McLaren’s pit box after joining Mercedes, could cost him precious seconds if repeated. However, with his record-breaking career as a foundation, Hamilton has the tools to make this new chapter a successful one.

Lewis Hamilton’s time as a Mercedes driver isn’t over just yet, with his contract running until December 31st.

This explains why he isn’t representing Ferrari in the post-season Abu Dhabi test, as he wraps up sponsorship commitments for Mercedes before making the switch from Brackley to Maranello.

This marks only the second team change in Hamilton’s illustrious career, the first being his much-debated move from McLaren to Mercedes ahead of the 2013 season.

Interestingly, his final race for McLaren at the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix shares some remarkable parallels with his last outing for Mercedes, exactly 12 years and 13 days later.

Hamilton’s final McLaren and Mercedes races

There is, of course, one key difference between the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix and the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Hamilton managed to finish the latter in fourth place, unlike his McLaren farewell, where a collision with Nico Hulkenberg forced his retirement.

However, starting with Sergio Perez’s early exit, the parallels are striking.

In 2012, Perez retired on the first lap after getting caught in a collision involving Bruno Senna, following a spin by Red Bull’s reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel. Similarly, in 2024, Perez retired on the opening lap after an incident with Valtteri Bottas, triggered by Red Bull’s reigning world champion Max Verstappen spinning and collecting Oscar Piastri. Both Vettel and Verstappen, interestingly, recovered to finish sixth.

Other coincidences include a British McLaren driver winning both races—Jenson Button in 2012 and Lando Norris in 2024—while the podiums were completed by Ferrari drivers. In Brazil, Fernando Alonso took second place, joined by Felipe Massa in the sister car. Twelve years later at Yas Marina, Carlos Sainz finished second, with the other Ferrari once again completing the top three.