Lewis Hamilton’s incredible time with Mercedes came to an end last weekend in Abu Dhabi, closing the book on the most successful partnership in Formula 1 history.

Over 12 years, Hamilton won six of his seven world titles and 84 races with the team but now, he’s set to start a new chapter with Ferrari in 2025.

Hamilton decided last winter to leave Mercedes and sign a multi-year deal with Ferrari. The move to the Scuderia will be his second major team switch in F1, following his high-profile transition from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013.

At the time, leaving McLaren—a team Hamilton had been associated with since he was 13—was seen as a gamble. Yet it turned out to be a brilliant decision, as it led to years of success with Mercedes.

Leaving Mercedes, however, has been harder for Hamilton. He’s said that the close relationships he built with the team over the years made it more emotional than when he left McLaren.

“Obviously, I remember meeting Niki [Lauda]. And I remember making the decision [to go to Mercedes],” Hamilton said after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at FIA press conference.

“But I don’t really remember the final days, if I’m really honest.

“It definitely wasn’t as painful and difficult as this year has been in terms of the emotions.

“And I think because it was at the end of the year, it was much quicker and there wasn’t enough time for it to really settle in for anyone, I think, within the team.

“Yeah, this one is much more emotional because I’ve been with the team so long and we’ve been through so much together.”

Joining Ferrari is a big moment for both Hamilton and the team. Ferrari is the most famous name in F1, but they haven’t won a championship in years, with many seeing Hamilton as the key to bringing the Scuderia back to the top.