Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari era begins with fierce rivals in pursuit—can he claim a historic eighth title?

Lewis Hamilton is about to begin the most audacious chapter of his career. At 40, with seven world titles, he has little left to prove—yet he’s chasing what could be the greatest achievement in Formula One history. His move to Ferrari, the sport’s most legendary team, is nothing short of a grand spectacle. If he delivers an eighth title and ends Ferrari’s 18-year championship drought, it will cement his place as F1’s ultimate icon.

But standing in his way is an F1 landscape that is more competitive than it has been in years. McLaren, resurgent as reigning constructors’ champions, has a machine that looked untouchable in testing. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are hungry, determined to carve their own legacies. Red Bull, despite balance and understeer issues, has Max Verstappen—arguably the most dominant driver of the modern era—gunning for his fifth straight title. And then there’s Mercedes, Hamilton’s former team, quietly optimistic that their new design could pull them back into contention.

For Hamilton, Ferrari is more than just a team; it’s a dream realised. As a child, he raced as Michael Schumacher in video games, envisioning himself in the scarlet overalls. Now, that fantasy is reality. He’s thrown himself into his new environment, even parking his motorhome outside Maranello to immerse himself in Ferrari’s culture. He’s met every one of the 1,500 employees and personally brought his engineers to dinner, determined to integrate seamlessly.

“I want people to know that I’m willing to go above and beyond,” he said. “Everyone here dreams of winning with Ferrari. The energy I’m receiving from the team—there’s magic here.”

Hamilton’s confidence isn’t just about nostalgia. Ferrari ended 2024 just 14 points behind McLaren, with a car that was steadily improving. Their 2025 challenger, the SF25, builds on that progress, and its handling characteristics may suit Hamilton better than the unpredictable Mercedes he left behind. The Scuderia is also in strong hands under team boss Fred Vasseur, who guided Hamilton to his GP2 title in 2006 and has instilled much-needed stability.

Even the small details of Hamilton’s new chapter are intriguing. His iconic “Hammer Time” radio call from his Mercedes days is gone—he and his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami, must devise a new war cry. And in a move that signals his intent, he’s reunited with former trainer Angela Cullen, who left his side in 2023.

Yet, despite all the optimism, the road to an eighth title is treacherous. McLaren’s pre-season pace is ominous. Red Bull, even if slightly on the back foot, remains a powerhouse with Verstappen at the wheel. And Mercedes, though written off last year, believes it has finally corrected its aerodynamic missteps.

The battle begins next week in Melbourne. If Hamilton’s Ferrari era delivers the drama it promises, this season will be one for the ages.