Ferrari offer Lewis Hamilton ‘honour’ only Michael Schumacher has ever received amid c…read more
Ferrari has reportedly offered Lewis Hamilton a unique honor reserved for only one other driver in Formula 1 history, Michael Schumacher, amid growing speculation over Hamilton’s move to the Italian team.
The F1 world was shaken when news broke in February that Hamilton would be leaving Mercedes at the close of the 2024 season. The seven-time world champion, who has spent over a decade with Mercedes, will join Charles Leclerc at Ferrari for the 2025 season. Reflecting on his departure, Hamilton expressed deep gratitude for his time with Mercedes. “I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and am so proud of what we’ve achieved,” he stated. “Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13, so leaving is one of the hardest decisions I’ve made. But the timing feels right, and I’m excited for the challenge ahead.”
As the current F1 season draws to a close, details have emerged of a symbolic gesture Ferrari intends to extend to Hamilton, one previously only granted to Schumacher, Ferrari’s legendary driver who claimed five of his seven world titles with the team. According to Sky Sports’ Marco Vanzini, Ferrari plans to offer Hamilton the opportunity to stay at the Maranello residence once occupied by the team’s founder, Enzo Ferrari—a privilege extended exclusively to Schumacher until now.
For Hamilton, the decision to leave Mercedes wasn’t about dissatisfaction but rather personal growth and fulfilling a long-held dream. Speaking in Matt Whyman’s book “Inside Mercedes F1,” Hamilton described his departure as a personal milestone, likening it to the end of a meaningful relationship. “I feel like I am ending a relationship that is perfectly fine,” Hamilton explained. “We are still in love. I have not lost faith in the team; I am just leaving for myself. It’s been a childhood dream to drive the red car—one that I think every motorsport kid shares.”
Hamilton’s impending departure follows a challenging season with Mercedes, despite two race victories. Currently, he sits seventh in the standings, narrowly behind his teammate, George Russell, in a campaign that has once again fallen short of his competitive expectations. At 39, Hamilton acknowledges he is approaching the final years of his F1 career, and Ferrari represents a final chapter he’s eager to explore. “With only a few years left, I’ve started to think about what I’ll look back on and feel truly happy about,” he shared. “I would regret not experiencing something different.”
With Hamilton’s impending move to Ferrari, the motorsport world is watching eagerly, anticipating how the veteran will approach this new journey with one of F1’s most iconic teams.
