In a landmark shift for Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion and the sport’s most decorated driver, will race for Ferrari in 2025. This news follows Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes after a glittering career spanning over a decade with the team. The confirmation, announced last February, sealed a multi-year deal with Scuderia Ferrari, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the legendary driver.
Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari comes with notable changes, including working alongside Riccardo Adami, the former race engineer of Carlos Sainz. Adami, known for his tenure with Sebastian Vettel from 2015 to 2020 and Sainz from 2021 to 2024, is set to be the voice guiding Hamilton on the team radio.
This collaboration was anticipated since summer 2024 when rumors circulated about Hamilton consulting Vettel for insights on Adami. Vettel reportedly offered high praise, describing Adami as an “excellent engineer.”
However, uncertainty loomed after Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur hesitated to confirm the partnership during the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Despite the initial ambiguity, Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport recently affirmed that Adami would take on the critical role.
Beyond his on-track team, Hamilton’s off-track entourage is also adapting to Ferrari’s structure. His long-time manager, Marc Hynes, will maintain close ties with the champion. A cadre of personal trainers, security personnel, photographers, and at least one communication and PR specialist will accompany him, ensuring continuity in his professional ecosystem.
Hamilton will encounter familiar allies at Ferrari. Fred Vasseur, who mentored him during his 2006 GP2 championship-winning season at ART Grand Prix, now leads Ferrari. Additionally, Jerome d’Ambrosio, Ferrari’s deputy team principal and head of its driver academy, previously worked briefly with Mercedes before joining the Scuderia in late 2023.
Another key figure is Loic Serra, a former Mercedes engineer who collaborated with Hamilton during the turbulent 2022 and 2023 seasons. Serra now oversees the development of Ferrari’s 2025 car, codenamed “Project 677.” Reports indicate that the car’s design includes a revised cockpit position, a nod to Hamilton’s feedback on seating issues during his final seasons with Mercedes.
In his first public statement since the official announcement, Hamilton shared his excitement for the upcoming season through LinkedIn:
“I couldn’t be more excited for next year. Joining Scuderia Ferrari brings so much to reflect on. To anyone considering their next step in 2025: embrace change. Reinvention is powerful.
“Here’s to 2025: a year to seize new opportunities, stay hungry, and move forward with purpose. Let’s make it a year to remember. Andiamo!”
As Hamilton embarks on this historic journey with Ferrari, the F1 world eagerly anticipates how the partnership will shape the 2025 season. With Adami’s expertise, Vasseur’s leadership, and Hamilton’s unparalleled talent, the combination promises to reignite Ferrari’s championship ambitions and add another remarkable chapter to the storied legacy of Formula 1.
