Learning from Leo! Lewis Hamilton transfer from Mercedes to Ferrari boasts Messi-esque shock factor, says Formula 1 star Alex Albon

On deadline day in football circles, attention was briefly diverted away from movement in a big-money market by surprising news from the world of motorsport. It was revealed that, after 11 years at Mercedes, seven-time world champion Hamilton would be switching to Ferrari in 2025.

That agreement sent shockwaves across the globe, much like Messi’s decision to head for the United States did when the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner decided to link up with Inter Miami when reaching the end of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain and becoming a free agent.

Albon, who is currently with Williams Racing, has told PlanetF1 of Hamilton making the same kind of noise as Argentine icon Messi: “It’s great for the sport. Firstly, I’d say what a news story it was. I don’t know about you guys, I definitely didn’t see it coming. But good for him, I think he wants that change. The timing of it is obviously awkward, more for the week before all the teams are doing their announcements.”

He added: “For me, it just shows you how big Lewis is, seeing the stock of Ferrari going up as much as it did and just seeing the general perception of the news. It was kind of one of those pinch yourself moments. I think there are so many rumours going over the winter, you didn’t know what had any kind of credibility or not and the Ferrari one definitely seemed to be a rumour to me at the very beginning of the story, and then it turned out to be a real thing. So no, great. It reminds me of the Messi-Miami transfer on such a huge scale and just shows you the appetite for Formula 1.”

Messi inspired Inter Miami to a historic Leagues Cup triumph within weeks of his arrival in America and, following a rather chaotic pre-season campaign, is looking to chase down more major honours when the 2024 MLS campaign gets underway.