The greatest Formula 1 driver of this era and the most renowned team in the sport, united in what will likely be Lewis Hamilton’s final chapter in F1 at Ferrari.
Regardless of how this unfolds, this partnership is a perfect match and not surprising considering the decline of the once-dominant Mercedes team, which provided Hamilton with a car that couldn’t secure a single victory in the last three seasons, leaving the once-powerful German team hopeless.
The announcement on February 1 caused a rise in Ferrari’s stocks as the reality of the situation sank in. This is undoubtedly the biggest blow to John Elkann, Fred Vassuer, and the entire Scuderia.
When asked about his decision to leave Mercedes after a long and successful tenure and join Ferrari, Hamilton responded confidently during a press conference before the Chinese Grand Prix: “I don’t need validation for my decision. I know what’s best for me, and that hasn’t changed since I made my decision.”
Just like his move from McLaren to Mercedes, where he proved critics wrong, Hamilton once again chose the perfect time to part ways with the team in its current state. The British driver emphasized: “I never doubted my decision and I am not influenced by other people’s opinions.”
While this site celebrates Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in the 2025 season as “The News of the Century in F1,” there are inevitably skeptics who believe he may disrupt the harmony in Maranello. The decision to keep Charles Leclerc and replace Carlos Sainz to accommodate Hamilton was not universally well-received.
Hamilton recognized this, stating: “Even today, there are people who continue to criticize and will continue to do so throughout the year. I just have to focus on what I do. Only you can know what is right for you, and this is an exciting moment for me.”
Since his debut in 2007 with McLaren as the official team, Hamilton has been associated with Mercedes, which has propelled his career in F1. During this time, he has achieved an impressive record of 103 wins in Grand Prix races, 104 pole positions, and seven world titles. All of these achievements were obtained with the iconic Tri-Star emblem on his racing suit.
At 39 years old, Hamilton is now the second oldest driver on the 2024 F1 grid, being surpassed in age only by Fernando Alonso, who is 42. Sir Lewis expressed surprise, saying: “I never thought I would still be racing in my forties. I’m almost certain I once said I wouldn’t continue racing beyond that age.”
“I find life to be an incredibly unpredictable journey,” reflected Hamilton. “Despite approaching 40, I still feel young. The best part is that I’m not the oldest driver here, thanks to Fernando. He is truly one of the greatest drivers in our sport, and his presence and continued success demonstrate the remarkable abilities of athletes and the human body when properly cared for.
“I plan to continue racing for a significant period of time, so it is reassuring to see Fernando still competing and progressing,” emphasized Hamilton. These statements will certainly please Ferrari and its devoted fans.
Now, let’s focus on the present. The Sprint Race weekend in Shanghai marks its return to the F1 calendar after a two-year absence. It is also the fifth round of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, where Mercedes faces a daunting challenge.
The long-awaited “improvements” to the car turned out to be nothing more than false hope and a warning to Mercedes. The W15 model is not better than its predecessor, the W14, or even the W13, which was heavily criticized by George Russell in the last season of Netflix’s “Drive to Survive.”
When asked about his expectations for China, Hamilton couldn’t contain himself: “Our car remains unchanged, but we have gained a better understanding of it. We made some improvements in Japan and will incorporate them in this weekend’s race, along with some new adjustments.
“With the benefit of hindsight and experience, there are things we would have done differently. Our goal is to implement these changes here and hopefully find some performance gain,” Hamilton added.
Sunday’s race in Shanghai will mark Hamilton’s 337th start in F1. He has already had success at this circuit, with six wins during Mercedes’ dominant era, similar to Red Bull’s current domination.
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Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is facing a new challenge in his career. After years of success at Real Madrid and Manchester United, Ronaldo is now playing for the Italian club Juventus. However, his first season in Serie A has not been as easy as he expected.
Despite scoring some important goals, Ronaldo has struggled to adapt to the Italian style of play. The Italian press has been relentless in their criticism of the player, questioning his physical form and his ability to lead the team.
Furthermore, Ronaldo has also faced off-field problems. Recently, he was accused of tax evasion and had to appear in court to defend himself. These accusations have affected the player’s image and sparked controversies.
However, Ronaldo is known for his determination and his ability to overcome challenges. He has already proven in the past that he is capable of adapting to new environments and coming back stronger than ever. With his talent and winning mentality, it is only a matter of time until he establishes himself at Juventus and shows his true potential.
Meanwhile, football fans are eager to see what the future holds for Cristiano Ronaldo. Will he be able to lead Juventus to the long-awaited Champions League title? Or will he seek new challenges at another club in the future? Only time will tell.
One thing is certain: regardless of what happens, Ronaldo will continue to be one of the greatest players of all time. His skill, determination, and charisma have won over millions of fans around the world. And even if he faces difficulties at the moment, there is no doubt that he will overcome them and continue to shine on the field.
