Ferrari came before Ducati, at least in terms of signing the contract for the F1's most iconic driver of the last decade, Lewis Hamilton. In fact, they already knew that Sir Lewis was arriving in Maranello back in February 2024.
Ducati, on the other hand, put pen to paper with Marc Marquez after the Mugello GP, so we're talking about June 2024, after having sought out Marc, to the sound of his many results.
For both, we can speak of a need to strengthen the teams with the arrival of the most titled of the decade - 7 titles for Hamilton, 8 (6 in the MotoGP) for Marquez - and the need to further promote the brands. There's no doubt that both Lewis and Marc are two stars in the firmament of the media, as well as obviously being two superlative sportsmen.
However, the way these two superstars present themselves is quite different: Sir Hamilton always brings with him a touch of glamour in the eccentricity of his clothes, while Marquez is much more casual.
Hamilton usually dresses in Tommy Hilfiger: the designer that also launched the TommyXLewis line for him, with an emphasis on sustainability, given the driver's well-known commitment to social issues. In this sense, he's more like our own Fabio Quartararo. For the occasion, Hamilton aimed for sophistication: a double-breasted Ferragamo coat over a vintage double-breasted pinstripe suit, a thin black tie, and a very clean-cut Ferrari-style button-down. He also wore his signature silver hoop earrings and a matching ring, as well as a pair of patent leather Louboutin boots.
Regarding their contracts, beyond the natural secrecy surrounding these deals, there's also talk of a three-year deal for Lewis Hamilton, with a sum of approximately 40 to 50 Million Euros. Marc Marquez, on the other hand, is supposed to have a two-year deal for a much lower figure, which we honestly don't feel like estimating, also because Marc gave up substantial personal deals for this, first and foremost with Red Bull, since Monster is present on the fairing of the Desmosedici.
Yet, when it comes to drinks, it must be said that Sir Lewis also had to take a step back, this time with Monster, since Ferrari has an agreement with Celsius.
With Hamilton, Ferrari would like to regain the title last won by Kimi Räikkönen in 2007. It would be the 8th for Sir Lewis, and that would allow him to overtake the legendary Michael Schumacher.
Ducati, which last year won both world championships, riders and constructors (but with Jorge Martin that switched to the #1 in Aprilia), would like to win back the numerical symbol of success. And, should Marquez succeed, it would be his 9th, which would allow him to join Valentino Rossi.
The teammates of this fearsome duo will be Charles Leclerc and Francesco Bagnaia. But, if for the former - who came to Maranello carrying the nickname "predestined" on his shoulders - the palmares marks 8 victories and 43 podiums (not counting the fact that the world championship is yet to come), for Pecco, his victories (in the MotoGP) are 29 with 51 podiums and the titles found in his trophy cabinet are 2 from the 2022-23 two-year period (along with the world championship won in the Moto2).
There's no doubt that for both Charles and Pecco the arrival of such important, and fast, teammates wasn't something they welcomed much. But, for now, there are no signs of distress to be seen, if not from the fans of the respective teams who didn't appreciate that a driver like Carlos Sainz Jr. (in Ferrari since 2021, with 4 wins) and a rider like Jorge Martin (first with Pramac, then also in Ducati since 2021, with 8 wins) were shown to the door.
If Lewis Hamilton only tested the 2022 Ferrari SF-75 for current regulations today at Fiorano, Marquez, instead, had already gotten a taste of Ducati's 2025 prototype after the Barcelona GP.
They're both two "old timers" in their respective categories: Marc is almost 32, while Lewis is 40.
In the end, however their world championships might go this year, the stage, so far, has been theirs.