Lewis Hamilton officially became a Ferrari F1 employee on January 1 to much fanfare on social media, though Frederic Vasseur is already calling for focus on the task at hand

British driver Lewis Hamilton is officially a Ferrari F1 driver, having left Mercedes – and he has already taken to social media. Seven-time Formula One champion Hamilton, 39, has formally left Mercedes after 12 years as one of the team’s drivers after his contract expired on December 31, 2024.

From Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari and Max Verstappen renewing his rivalry with Lando Norris, here's what to look for ahead of the Formula 1 season in 2025.

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Lewis Hamilton is officially a Ferrari Formula 1 driver now and aims to win an eighth title before retiring from the sport, though it will not be easy up against Charles Leclerc

Hamilton arrives in Maranello with a fire in his stomach and a clear objective: win a record-breaking eighth Drivers’ Championship title and bring the glory days back to the Tifosi. However, while his race pace remains strong, many have doubted Fred Vasseur’s decision to bring the Brit to Italy for the 2025 campaign.

Hamilton's shock move to Ferrari, where he will officially make his race debut at the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, was announced nearly a year ago and he will go into the new year with a realistic hope that he can finally challenge for a record eighth world championship.

A much-anticipated F1 partnership between the sport's most successful team and driver began on Wednesday with Hamilton joining Ferrari on a two-year deal from Mercedes, where he won six of his seven drivers' titles.

Fred Vasseur has urged his Ferrari team to keep their feet on the ground despite the “excitement” of Lewis Hamilton officially joining the Italian oufit. After 12 years with Mercedes, seven-time F1 world champion Hamilton officially joined the Scuderia on 1 January ahead of the 2025 season.

Former Formula 1 team bosses Eddie Jordan and Flavio Briatore have launched scathing criticisms of Ferrari's decision to sign Lewis Hamilton and drop Carlos Sainz for the upcoming season. Jordan branded the move "suicidal" in comments made on his Formula For Success podcast.