Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is set for a sensational move to Scuderia Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season, triggering a release clause on his current Mercedes contract to make the switch possible.
Ferrari is arguably the most iconic team in Formula 1, being the only team to play in all seasons of the racing series since its inception in 1950. Due to their folklore status and vast resources, the Prancing Horse team has consistently been a magnet for the best talents on the grid.
Several drivers, who have already tasted the success of a world title with other teams, have joined Ferrari to enhance their legacy.
While not the first driver to make such a move, Hamilton could be considered the most high-profile. The Briton is the most successful driver in Formula 1, backed by an impressive record of having the most wins, poles, and podiums and being tied for the most titles.
This unparalleled success adds significant prestige to his move to the iconic Ferrari team.
4 other world champions who joined Scuderia Ferrari
1. Alain Prost
Prost made a significant move to Ferrari in the 1990 season after a successful tenure at McLaren, where he secured world titles in 1985, 1986, and 1989. This shift occurred amid a bitter feud with his McLaren teammate, Ayrton Senna.
Being the reigning champion, Prost's first season with the iconic red team saw moderate success, securing victories in Brazil, Mexico, France, Britain, and Spain. However, he fell short of retaining his title.
The following season proved disastrous as the French driver failed to win a single race. Publicly expressing his dissatisfaction with the car, Prost openly criticized it, leading to his termination before the conclusion of the 1991 season.
After this setback, he took a year-long break before returning to Formula 1, ultimately achieving his final world title with Williams in 1993.
2. Fernando Alonso
Alonso made a high-profile move to Ferrari before the 2010 season, entering what many considered the prime of his career after securing two world titles in 2005 and 2006 with Renault.
The Spanish driver showcased remarkable skill and determination, coming agonizingly close to securing a third world title in 2010 and 2012.
In both instances, the championship battle went down to the final race, with Alonso finishing as the runner-up. Particularly noteworthy was his performance in 2012, where he nearly clinched the title despite analysts ranking the Ferrari as the fourth-best car on the grid.
Despite his outstanding efforts, Alonso left the team after a winless 2014 season.
3. Sebastian Vettel
Vettel took over Alonso's seat ahead of the 2015 season, stepping into the role after a challenging 2014 campaign that followed four consecutive titles with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013.
Considered Ferrari's potential solution to end their title drought, Vettel emerged as Hamilton's primary competitor during the latter's title-winning campaigns in 2017 and 2018.
Despite being competitive, Vettel faced setbacks due to crucial race and strategy mistakes, ultimately preventing him from securing a championship title in Ferrari's iconic red livery.
4. Michael Schumacher
Arguably the only success story of a world champion transitioning to Ferrari to date, Schumacher had already secured two titles with Benetton in 1994 and 1995 before switching to Ferrari in 1996.
The German's arrival marked a transformative period for the team, as they underwent significant development from the ground up at the end of the millennium.
Despite facing initial challenges, Schumacher played a pivotal role in steering Ferrari to become one of the most dominant forces in F1 history at the turn of the century, clinching an impressive five consecutive titles from 2000 to 2004.
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