After spending nearly his whole career with Mercedes—the team that helped him become one of the greatest drivers of all time—Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari next season is a surprising change. But did he actually make the right choice?

Why it could be a mistake

Hamilton’s move comes at a time when Mercedes looks strong again. After struggling with the 2022 rule changes, they’ve made steady progress throughout this season.

Hamilton’s win at the British Grand Prix was a turning point, showing that the team still has what it takes to fight for victories. By the end of the year, Mercedes was consistently challenging for podiums, and the team’s boss Toto Wolff has said they now understand how to fix the problems that held them back.  

With no major rule changes coming until 2026, Mercedes could stay competitive or even dominate again. If that happens, Hamilton might regret leaving just when the team was ready to fight for championships.  

On top of that, Ferrari, while promising, hasn’t always been consistent. The team has made many mistakes over the years, including poor strategies during races. Even though they ended this season on a high note, their midseason struggles are a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong.

Why it could be a masterstroke 

On the other hand, Ferrari’s strong finish this season shows why Hamilton’s decision might pay off. After struggling mid-year, Ferrari came back strong, finishing second in the Constructors’ Championship. They even challenged McLaren for race wins in the final rounds, including the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, despite Charles Leclerc starting from the back of the grid.

Hamilton’s move also shows he’s thinking about the long term. With big rule changes coming in 2026, Ferrari could be in a strong position to lead the next era of Formula 1. They’re known for building powerful engines, and Hamilton could be betting that Ferrari will once again become the dominant team.  

This also isn’t the first time Hamilton has taken a big risk. When he left McLaren for Mercedes in 2013, many thought he was making a mistake. But just one year later, Mercedes started its era of dominance, and Hamilton became the most successful driver of his generation. He could be hoping for a similar story with Ferrari.  

There’s also the emotional side of this move. Ferrari is the most famous team in F1 history, and many drivers dream of racing for them. Hamilton has always talked about wanting to drive for Ferrari before retiring, and this is his chance.

Winning a title with Ferrari, their first since 2007, on top of beating the record of the most WDC he now shares with Michael Schumacher, would be the perfect way to end his career.  

Joining Ferrari also means reuniting with team boss Frédéric Vasseur, who Hamilton knows well from his early racing days. This connection could help him settle into his new team quickly and give him the support he needs to succeed.  

Ultimately, Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari is definitely a big gamble…

…on one hand, if Ferrari keeps improving, he could fight for wins and championships, especially with big changes coming in 2026.

…on the other hand, if Ferrari struggles or makes mistakes, he might end up regretting leaving Mercedes.