Hamilton to TIME Magazine: I’ve never been so excited

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Hamilton, in his first season with Ferrari, explained the motivation behind his decision to leave Mercedes after a hugely successful decade, and how the deal unfolded to move to Maranello, and sport's most successful and supported team.

Hamilton, who had spent his entire F1 career with Mercedes-powered cars, told Time this week that the allure of Ferrari was too strong to resist: “You can’t stand still for too long. I needed to throw myself into something uncomfortable again.

"Honestly, I thought all my firsts were done. Your first car, your first crash, your first date, first day of school. The excitement I got by the idea of, ‘This is my first time in the red suit, the first time in the Ferrari.’ Wow. Honestly, I’ve never been so excited," admitted Hamilton.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur played a key role in securing Hamilton’s signature. After being hired ahead of the 2023 season, the Frenchman was told of a loophole in Hamilton’s new contract with Mercedes. The Frenchman acted quickly, bringing Ferrari chairman John Elkann into the discussions. And the biggest deal in F1 history was made.

Hamilton recalled when he received the 'you have the job' call in December 2023: “I remember getting off the phone and, like, almost shaking. I was like, Oh God! I was like, Holy sh!t. I literally just signed with Mercedes. It was a lot to take in, and my emotions were really high. So I honestly had to go for a walk.

“My eyes felt really calm and present. This is the right thing for me. We’re in a time of reimagining the future, reimagining what really dreaming is about. I’m going to Ferrari, man, and that’s the biggest dream. These are guys I’ve been with so many years," revealed the 40-year-old Briton.

Despite his departure, Hamilton insisted there is no animosity between him and Mercedes: “There is no bad blood. Absolutely not. We won so many championships. They have all the ingredients to win world championships, and they will win more world championships. I have no doubt.”

Hamilton, the most successful driver in Formula 1 history, dismissed comparisons to past champions: “Don’t ever compare me to anybody else. I’m the first and only Black driver that’s ever been in this sport. I’m built different. I’ve been through a lot. I’ve had my own journey.

"You can’t compare me to another 40-year-old, past or present, Formula One driver in history. Because they are nothing like me. I’m hungry, driven, and don’t have a wife and kids. I’m focused on one thing, and that’s winning. That’s my No. 1 priority.”

Hamilton has faced scrutiny throughout his career from ex-drivers and pundits alike, but has learned to block out detractors: “I’ve always welcomed the negativity. I never, ever reply to any of the older, ultimately, white men who have commented on my career and what they think I should be doing. How you show up, how you present yourself, how you perform slowly dispels that.”

Hamilton described his first days at Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters as surreal: “The amount of

ciaos and grazies and piaceres I was saying, aye aye aye. I’m in red, I’m like, Whoa! The suit looked so good on me. It’s a really, really special moment. I’m literally learning a completely new book.”

Hamilton acknowledged the role of Netflix’s Drive to Survive

While many speculate about how long Hamilton will continue racing, he made it clear he has no plans to retire anytime soon: “What I can tell you is, retirement is nowhere on my radar. I could be here until I’m 50, who knows.”

Hamilton remains fully focused on making the switch to Ferrari: “I know exactly where the North Star is. I know where I need to go. I know how to get there. It’s far, and it’s going to be tough to get there, but I know I’ve got all the ingredients, all the people, an amazing team around me.

"So it’s how much you want it. And I can’t express to you how much I want it," declared Hamilton, who will start his first race in the Red of Ferrari at the 2025 F1 season-opening Australian Grand Prix.