Lewis Hamilton and idea of returning to McLaren: “I thought he might be tempted, but I was wrong”. The Lewis Hamilton-Ferrari pairing will undoubtedly be the main attraction of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

The transfer of the century

The Lewis Hamilton-Ferrari pairing will undoubtedly be the main attraction of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Regardless of the results the Briton achieves behind the wheel of the red car, much of the media attention will focus on this new—and historic—union, which just a year ago seemed impossible even to imagine.

Among those commenting on the switch involving the most successful driver in F1 history was Stephen Lord, who shared his thoughts in an episode of the official F1 podcast Beyond The Grid. Lord admitted he had envisioned another possible end to #44’s career—a ‘romantic’ return to his roots at McLaren. The Woking-based team nurtured Hamilton from 2007 to 2012, guiding him to his first world title in 2008.

The ‘missed’ homecoming

However, Lewis Hamilton’s move to the Prancing Horse didn’t particularly surprise Lord: “Surprised? Not at all,” explained Lord. “I think it was always his plan. It was talked about a few years ago. I always thought he might be tempted to return to McLaren, but I was completely wrong. We had a conversation years ago, and he always told me that, in his opinion, most drivers had a desire to drive for Ferrari at some point in their career. So I wasn’t surprised at all. They are the oldest and most recognizable team in the paddock, and for the history and esteem the brand enjoys, I think it’s inevitable that people want to go there,” he concluded.