# Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari

Source: https://www.thef1formula.com/careers/lewis-hamilton-at-ferrari
Last updated: 2026-06-01

> Lewis Hamilton's move to Scuderia Ferrari marked the most anticipated transfer of the modern era, uniting a seven-time world champion with F1's most iconic team.

The arrival of Lewis Hamilton at Scuderia Ferrari for the 2025 season marked a seismic shift in Formula 1, uniting the sport's most successful driver with its most storied team. This partnership, forged after 12 years and six world championships with Mercedes, instantly became the defining transfer of the modern era, captivating fans and analysts alike.

## How it began
The announcement, coming well ahead of the 2025 season, sent shockwaves through the paddock. Hamilton, approaching his 40th birthday, made the bold decision to leave a team where he had achieved unprecedented success, seeking a new challenge and perhaps the elusive eighth world title with the Prancing Horse. The move echoed some of F1's most iconic transfers, though few carried such immediate narrative weight. The prospect of Hamilton in red, a vision long fantasized by many, became a reality, setting the stage for what was anticipated to be a transformative chapter for both driver and team.

## The partnership's character
Hamilton's tenure at Ferrari commenced with the 2025 Australian Grand Prix. Across his first 29 races with the team, the verified record shows 0 wins, 2 podiums, and a total of 196 points. The 2025 season, comprising 24 races, saw Hamilton secure 135 points and finish 6th in the championship, notably without a podium finish. The initial phase of the partnership was characterized by a period of adaptation, both for Hamilton to Ferrari's distinct car philosophy and for the team to integrate a driver of his unparalleled experience and approach. While the raw pace was often evident, converting it into victories proved challenging. This contrasted sharply with his dominant years at Mercedes, and the narrative around Ferrari's car development became a central theme. Fans looking back at [Fernando Alonso at McLaren (2007)](/careers/fernando-alonso-at-mclaren) might recall another high-profile, highly anticipated pairing that didn't immediately yield the expected dominance. Similarly, the challenges faced by drivers like [Fernando Alonso at McLaren-Honda (2015–2018)](/careers/fernando-alonso-at-mclaren-honda) illustrate the complexities of high-stakes team transitions.

## Key chapter in the season
The 2026 season, though still in its early stages with 5 races accounted for, has shown glimmers of improved performance, yielding 2 podiums and 61 points. This suggests a potential upward trajectory as the team and driver continue to gel and develop the car under new technical regulations, a common inflection point in Formula 1. The challenge for Hamilton and Ferrari has been to consistently extract the maximum from the package, often battling against formidable rivals. The pressure on the team to deliver a championship-winning car for a driver of Hamilton's caliber is immense, and every race is scrutinized. For context on how drivers adapt to new team environments, one might consider [Carlos Sainz at Ferrari (2021–2024)](/careers/carlos-sainz-at-ferrari), who also faced the unique demands of Maranello.

## The legacy
Even without a world championship to his name in red so far, Lewis Hamilton's decision to join Ferrari is already etched into Formula 1 history. It represents a bold career choice, a pursuit of a final, monumental challenge, and a testament to his enduring passion for the sport. The sheer spectacle of a seven-time champion concluding his career with the Scuderia, regardless of championship count, holds immense symbolic weight for the [Formula 1 — official site](https://www.formula1.com/en) and its global fanbase. This move will be remembered not just for the results, but for the audacity of the ambition and the narrative it created around the sport's greatest figures. The [FIA — F1 World Championship](https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-one-world-championship) oversees the regulations that shape these eras, and Hamilton's move reflects the constant evolution of driver careers within these frameworks. For a deeper dive into the sport's historical context, the [Wikipedia: Formula One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_One) page offers extensive information on past champions and teams. The ongoing data for the 2026 season, available through sources like [Jolpica/Ergast — 2026 season data](https://api.jolpi.ca/ergast/f1/2026.json), will continue to track this unprecedented chapter.