To commemorate the team’s multi-year sponsorship deal with Italian bank Unicredit, Ferrari will host a special event in Milan in March.
The Formula 1 world is on the brink of witnessing one of the most significant chapters in its storied history as Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, prepares to don the scarlet red of Ferrari for the 2025 season. After an illustrious career with Mercedes, where he etched his name into the annals of the sport, Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari has sent ripples through the motorsport universe. This monumental move was first announced in February 2024, a revelation that not only captivated fans but also triggered a surge in Ferrari’s stock, soaring over 10% to a record high.
Hamilton’s transition marks the end of a legendary era with Mercedes and ushers in a new epoch at Ferrari, where expectations are stratospheric. With Hamilton and Ferrari joining forces, the potential for commercial and sporting dominance is palpable. The synergy between the most decorated driver in F1 history and the most successful team is poised to create a juggernaut that could redefine the sport’s landscape.
Ferrari’s recent partnership with UniCredit, one of Europe’s leading banking institutions, underscores this ambition. The collaboration, unveiled last September, is set to fuel the team’s racing activities. In a joint press conference held at UniCredit’s headquarters in Milan, Ferrari and the bank announced a special event planned for March. This roadshow-style event, featuring Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc, will offer fans an electrifying preview of the season ahead. Set between the conclusion of pre-season testing and the season opener in Australia, this event promises to immerse the Tifosi, Ferrari’s passionate fanbase, in a spectacle of speed and precision.
Benedetto Vigna, Ferrari’s chief executive, expressed his excitement about the partnership, highlighting the shared values of innovation and excellence that bind Ferrari and UniCredit. He emphasized the collaborative spirit aimed at pushing boundaries in both racing and finance, ensuring fans and clients remain at the core of their initiatives.
Andrea Orcel, CEO of UniCredit Group, echoed this sentiment, praising the partnership as a fusion of heritage and future aspirations. He emphasized the commitment to delivering high-performance financial solutions, drawing parallels with the thrilling world of Formula 1.
Hamilton’s move has also sparked rumors of a burgeoning personal sponsorship deal with Celsius, a prominent Ferrari sponsor, signaling a shift from his long-standing association with Monster Energy. Additionally, speculation abounds about Almave, the non-alcoholic tequila brand co-founded by Hamilton, potentially aligning with Ferrari in the upcoming season.
The next phase of Hamilton’s Ferrari journey begins imminently as he integrates into the team at Maranello. His initiation includes crucial simulator sessions, meetings with engineers, and a nostalgic lap around the Fiorano test track in Ferrari’s 2022 car, the F1-75. This ‘wake-up’ test serves as a precursor to the rigorous pre-season schedule, which will take Hamilton to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for further testing.
As anticipation builds, all eyes are set on February 19, when Ferrari will unveil its F1 2025 challenger, codenamed Project 677. This event will follow the sport’s first-ever collective season launch in London, a grand occasion that promises to set the tone for an exhilarating season.
Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari is not just a change of teams; it represents a seismic shift in the Formula 1 narrative. With unparalleled talent, unwavering ambition, and the might of Ferrari behind him, Hamilton is set to chase that elusive eighth world title, rewriting history once more. The stage is set, and the world watches with bated breath as Hamilton and Ferrari embark on this extraordinary journey together.
