Throwback: F1 rocked by Hamilton's shock Ferrari switch

Two years ago, Formula 1 was stunned by the confirmation that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton would leave Mercedes after 12 years to join Ferrari in 2025, activating a release clause in his contract. The move abruptly ended the sport's most dominant modern partnership and triggered a seismic shift in the driver market.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's switch is arguably the most significant driver move in F1 history, upending the career narrative of the sport's most successful driver. It represented a monumental marketing coup for Ferrari and reshaped the competitive and commercial landscape for the 2025 season and beyond, proving that even the most established alliances in F1 are subject to dramatic change.

The details:

• The news broke on February 1, 2024, starting as winter break rumors before gaining undeniable momentum throughout the day.
• Ferrari's official confirmation was strikingly brief, simply stating Hamilton would join on a multi-year contract, a stark contrast to the event's magnitude.
• Hamilton activated a release option in his Mercedes deal, which was originally set to run through 2025, to make the move possible.
• The decision concluded a partnership with Mercedes that yielded six of his seven world titles and 103 Grand Prix victories, defining the hybrid engine era.
• In his own, more emotional statement two days later, Hamilton called it "one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make" and described a "crazy few days" filled with emotion and excitement for a new challenge.

What's next:

The initial hype met a harsh reality in 2024, as Hamilton endured a podium-less first season with the Scuderia. However, the long-term vision for the partnership is now coming into focus as F1 enters a new era of technical regulations in 2025, offering Ferrari and Hamilton a crucial reset and a renewed opportunity to chase the elusive championship success that motivated the historic switch.