Lewis Hamilton "knew in his head" he wanted to drive for Ferrari one day as far back as 2004, according to team principal Fred Vasseur.

Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna has confirmed that Lewis Hamilton will make his eagerly-anticipated arrival at the team’s F1 base next week. Seven-time world champion Hamilton has joined Ferrari from rivals Mercedes in the biggest driver transfer in F1 history.

Hamilton is poised to link up with Ferrari for the first time next week following his move from Mercedes for the F1 2025 season. Report: Lewis Hamilton to drive Ferrari F1-75 car

Toto Wolff does not believe that Lewis Hamilton is past his prime but rather that he is struggling with the latest generation of F1 cars. In a warning to his new employer, Ferrari, the Mercedes chief assessed that the seven-time world champion’s late-braking and aggressive corner entries are mismatched with the desires of the current machines.

Italian journalist Roberto Chincero says a “Hamilton mania” has already begun in the country ahead of the 40-year-old Briton’s arrival, which he believes will require a heavy police presence to manage large crowds that are expected to gather on the streets near Ferrari’s headquarters.

After a distinguished 12-year tenure with Mercedes, where he secured seven World Championships and 105 Grand Prix wins, Hamilton has switched teams for the 2025 Formula 1 season.