LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed his first phone call with Ferrari left him shaking on the bathroom floor.
The seven-time F1 champion is swapping Mercedes for the Italian giants this season.
RexLewis Hamilton is preparing to make his debut for Ferrari next week[/caption]
ReutersThe seven-time champ is targeting a record-breaking year with his new team[/caption]
Hamilton, 40, penned a two-year deal with Ferrari following the surprise switch last year.
He joined Mercedes in 2013 and won six Drivers Championships with the team.
Hamilton agreed a new contract with Toto Wolff’s company in 2023, with the contract including a break-clause after a year.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur got in contact with Hamilton shortly after that deal was struck.
And the Brit superstar admits he was completely floored to hear of Ferrari’s interest.
The F1 star told TIME: “I remember getting off the phone and, like, almost shaking.
“I was like, holy s***! I literally just signed with Mercedes.
“It was a lot to take in and my emotions were really high. So I honestly had to go for a walk.”
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He added: “My eyes felt really calm and present. This is the right thing for me.”
Hamilton’s mega-money deal will see him earn £100million over his two years with Ferrari.
Winning one more world championship would take him past Michael Schumacher‘s all-time record of eight.
Hamilton will race with Ferrari for the first time at the Melbourne Grand Prix next week.
And he puts his stunning desire to win down to focusing solely on racing.
Inside track on Hamilton’s life
LEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner.
The British speedster lives life in the fast lane both on and off the track, with a string of high-profile romances and jet-set lifestyle.
Hamilton made his name at McLaren and Mercedes but stunned the racing world by signing a £100million deal to join Ferrari for next season.
His exploits have seen him rub shoulders with Hollywood icon Brad Pitt but Lew snubbed the chance to feature in Top Gun 2.
And fans can follow his fortunes on the latest season of Netflix’s smash hit Drive To Survive.
Hamilton’s talent saw him go from humble origins in Stevenage to boasting an £11m car collection.
He joined celeb dating app Raya after splitting from Brazilian beauty Juliana Nalu.
And his exes are said to include Rita Ora, Rihanna and Nicole Scherzinger.
Hamilton was embroiled in a bitter feud with Nico Rosberg but the pair buried the hatchet to sport £35k watches they were given for FREE.
He also shared high-profile battles with Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.
But his most shocking showdown saw Max Verstappen handed the World Championship over him by a controversial safety car decision.
The Brit is chasing a record eighth world title – the first of which came in 2008 and has seen Felipe Masa sue F1 for £62m after a crash saw him miss out.
Check out all our Lewis Hamilton articles here.
Hamilton added: “Don’t ever compare me to anybody else.
“I’m the first and only Black driver that’s ever been in this sport.
“I’m built different. I’ve been through a lot. I’ve had my own journey.
You can’t compare me to another 40-year-old, past or present, Formula One driver in history.
“Because they are nothing like me. I’m hungry, driven, don’t have a wife and kids.
“I’m focused on one thing, and that’s winning. That’s my No.1 priority.”
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