Is Lewis Hamilton’s move from Mercedes to Ferrari a decision of the heart, the head or both? Former champion Damon Hill tries to answer the Formula 1 hammer.
Hamilton’s decision to join Scuderia in 2025 was a “shock to the system,” said Damon Hill on Sky Sports. “Lewis has taken command of his career and its direction.”
There is more to the change than just “romance, history and everything else” that has to do with Ferrari, said the 1996 Formula 1 world champion. “I think there was evidence that Ferrari is in the process of putting together a competitive package.” .
Hill was referring to the work of Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur, who has turned the Scuderia inside out since taking office a year ago. “They are in the process of bringing the components together and they have achieved the first results. I think if you have the choice between Mercedes or Ferrari supplying you with the same equipment, I would rather go to Ferrari and try something different.”
His compatriot asked himself where he could best win his eighth World Cup title, said Hill. “If Lewis really believed that the eighth title was certain or that there was a good 50:50 chance of it happening if he stayed at Mercedes, he would have stayed.”
Formula 1: Hamilton can “at least try”
However, the record world champion probably “got to the point where he noticed that Mercedes was running out of steam, that he had perhaps been there a few too many years and that he started to think: ‘I have to spend my last years in Formula 1 invigorate – what better way than driving for Ferrari?'”
Hamilton now has “at least the chance” and can think: “If it goes wrong, at least I tried.”
Hamilton has been driving for the Mercedes factory team since 2013, winning six of his seven world titles and 82 of his 103 Grand Prix trophies with the Silver Arrows.