<p>London: Lewis Hamilton said he was determined to leave Mercedes on a high this season before fulfilling a childhood dream by racing for Ferrari in 2025.</p><p>Britain's seven-times Formula One world champion stunned the sport when his move on a multi-year deal was announced on Thursday.</p><p>Hamilton, 39, said in a post on Instagram on Saturday that the decision felt right and reminded him of his move to Mercedes from McLaren at the end of 2012.</p><p>"I feel incredibly fortunate, after achieving things with Mercedes that I could only have dreamed of as a kid, that I now have the chance to fulfil another childhood dream. Driving in Ferrari red," he wrote.</p><p>"Mercedes has been a huge part of my life since I was 13 years old, so this decision has been the hardest I've ever had to make," he added.</p><p>Hamilton said the time was right to take on a new challenge.</p><p>"I still remember the feeling of taking a leap of faith into the unknown when I first joined Mercedes in 2013," he recalled.</p><p>"I know some people didn't understand it at the time but I was right to make the move then and it's the feeling I have again now. I'm excited to see what I can bring to this new opportunity and what we can do together."</p><p>Ferrari have not won a drivers' title since 2007, the year Hamilton made a stunning debut with McLaren and missed becoming champion by a single point.</p><p>He won his first title with McLaren in 2008 and the rest with Mercedes.</p><p>The Briton is now the sport's most successful driver of all time with a record 103 wins, although his last victory was in December 2021.</p><p>Hamilton said that right now he was not thinking of 2025.</p><p>"My focus is on the upcoming season and getting back out on track with Mercedes," he said. "I am more driven than ever, I am fitter and more focussed than ever and I want to help Mercedes win once again.</p><p>"I am 100% committed to the job I need to do and determined to end my partnership with the team on a high."</p><p>The record 24-race season starts in Bahrain on March 2.</p>
<p>London: Lewis Hamilton said he was determined to leave Mercedes on a high this season before fulfilling a childhood dream by racing for Ferrari in 2025.</p><p>Britain's seven-times Formula One world champion stunned the sport when his move on a multi-year deal was announced on Thursday.</p><p>Hamilton, 39, said in a post on Instagram on Saturday that the decision felt right and reminded him of his move to Mercedes from McLaren at the end of 2012.</p><p>"I feel incredibly fortunate, after achieving things with Mercedes that I could only have dreamed of as a kid, that I now have the chance to fulfil another childhood dream. Driving in Ferrari red," he wrote.</p><p>"Mercedes has been a huge part of my life since I was 13 years old, so this decision has been the hardest I've ever had to make," he added.</p><p>Hamilton said the time was right to take on a new challenge.</p><p>"I still remember the feeling of taking a leap of faith into the unknown when I first joined Mercedes in 2013," he recalled.</p><p>"I know some people didn't understand it at the time but I was right to make the move then and it's the feeling I have again now. I'm excited to see what I can bring to this new opportunity and what we can do together."</p><p>Ferrari have not won a drivers' title since 2007, the year Hamilton made a stunning debut with McLaren and missed becoming champion by a single point.</p><p>He won his first title with McLaren in 2008 and the rest with Mercedes.</p><p>The Briton is now the sport's most successful driver of all time with a record 103 wins, although his last victory was in December 2021.</p><p>Hamilton said that right now he was not thinking of 2025.</p><p>"My focus is on the upcoming season and getting back out on track with Mercedes," he said. "I am more driven than ever, I am fitter and more focussed than ever and I want to help Mercedes win once again.</p><p>"I am 100% committed to the job I need to do and determined to end my partnership with the team on a high."</p><p>The record 24-race season starts in Bahrain on March 2.</p>