Lewis Hamilton will make of the biggest Formula 1 moves of all time when he departs Mercedes at the end of this season to head to Ferrari.
The seven-time F1 World Champion will depart the Silver Arrows at the end of 2024 after opting to end his association with the German brand after being associated with Mercedes since he was aged 13.
Having come through the ranks at McLaren and winning his first world title in 2008, he produced the first of his shock career moves when he left for the Mercedes works team for 2013.
Advert
Though producing doubts at the time, it proved to be an inspired career move ultimately, with Hamilton going on to win a further six world championships and equal Michael Schumacher's total of seven.
Since controversially missing out on an eighth title in 2021 to Max Verstappen after an incorrectly enforced safety car restart procedure, Hamilton and his Mercedes team have fallen behind Verstappen and Red Bull.
The Dutchman has won the last three drivers' titles in a row and Red Bull have become back-to-back constructors' champions after producing the best car in new ground effect regulations.
Advert
Hamilton last year committed his future to Mercedes until 2025, but has opted to end that deal at the end of this year and make a move on a multi-year deal to Ferrari, where he will replace Carlos Sainz Jr and partner Charles Leclerc.
Throughout the Italian team's history, it has often opted to go for number one drivers, rather than have two with equal footing within the team.
Schumacher was number one ahead of Rubens Barrichello, Fernando Alonso did the same to Felipe Massa, Sebastian Vettel was seen as the main driver ahead of Kimi Raikkonen, before Leclerc did the same to the German and to an extent, Sainz.
Advert
It is something that Hamilton has ultimately experienced at times in his career with both McLaren and Mercedes, but also had spells where he has been the equal driver - but has never really been the number two in a team.
And that is something which the 39-year-old may have to get used to at the Scuderia, according to former F1 driver Hans Joachim-Stuck who started 74 Grand Prix during the 1970s.
Speaking to Eurosport, via PlanetF1, the German said: "Hamilton is a special personality. But whether he can cope with the Ferrari system, where everything works a little differently, is something I’m curious to see.
"Of course, Hamilton will have had this step rewarded with his salary, and he deserves it. But he now has to subordinate himself. He is certainly not used to that.
Advert
"But the Scuderia works differently to Red Bull or Mercedes. You’re not the big personality there that you can live out like in other racing teams.
“Hamilton has to be subordinate. Ferrari is Italy. The press is completely different, they pick on every little thing, there are no secrets. It will be a completely new experience for Hamilton."
Going into Leclerc's team is a clear gamble and one which might not pay off - but Hamilton will have also driven for the legendary team which all F1 drivers want to race for.
And if it does go well and yield an eighth world title for Hamilton, what a way that would be to end his career.
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, Formula 1, Charles Leclerc