Sawt Falasteen - Hamilton 'excited for year ahead' after Ferrari switch

Hamilton has joined the Italian giants from Mercedes, with whom he won six of his drivers' world titles.

But the lure of racing for Ferrari, arguably the most celebrated team in Grand Prix history, proved too strong, with Hamilton hoping his move inspires others to seize new opportunities.

"I could not be more excited for the year ahead," Hamilton wrote on LinkedIn. "Moving to Scuderia Ferrari, there's a lot to reflect on.

The Englishman, who turns 40 on Tuesday, added: "To anyone considering their next move in 2025: embrace the change. Whether you're switching industries, learning a new skill, or even just taking on new challenges, remember that reinvention is powerful. Your next opportunity is always within reach.

"Here's to 2025 -- a year of embracing new opportunities, staying hungry, and driving forward with purpose. Let's make it one to remember. Andiamo (Let's go)."

Hamilton ended his post with the hashtag, "new job", alongside a picture of him karting in a red crash helmet as a child.

Hamilton, who made his name in Formula One with McLaren, has joined Ferrari after 12 seasons at Mercedes and his first race for his new team will be the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 16.

He is due to unveil his 2025 car at Ferrari's season launch alongside team-mate Charles Leclerc on February 19 at the team's Maranello headquarters in northern Italy, with testing in Bahrain the following week.

Hamilton ended his two-and-a-half year winless streak at the British Grand Prix in July, but finished only seventh in the 2024 world championship, a mammoth 214 points behind title-winner Max Verstappen.

Hamilton joins a Ferrari side that were narrowly beaten to the constructors' title by McLaren last year.

He is bidding to win an outright record eighth world title -- Hamilton shares the current record of seven with Michael Schumacher -- and secure Ferrari their first championship in nearly two decades.

M.Qasim--SF-PST