Of course, I am not referring to William Rowan Hamiltonian (of physics) but Lewis Hamilton (of cars). Speaking of the former:
John Brinkley (Royal Astronomer of Ireland) remarked of the precocious Hamilton (at 17), “This young man, I do not say will be, but is, the first mathematician of his age.” The college (Trinity College Dublin) awarded Hamilton two optimes, or off-the-chart grades, in Greek and in physics. He was first in every subject and at every examination.
Now to cars.
Cars is an animated film series and Disney media franchise set in a world populated by anthropomorphic vehicles. The franchise began with the 2006 film, Cars, produced by Pixar and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The film was followed by Cars 2 in 2011. A third film, Cars 3, was released in 2017. Together, all three Cars films have accrued over $1.4 billion in box office revenue worldwide while the franchise has amassed over $10 billion in merchandising sales within its first five years.
I could not resist walking out on a cold and cloudy Saturday morning, Italian coffee in hand, to take a photograph of my garage as I read this:
Why F1’s Lewis Hamilton is quitting Mercedes to form a Ferrari ‘superteam’
As the article opens:
It’s the end of an era — and the biggest driver move in Formula One history.
After 12 seasons, six world championships and 82 race wins, Lewis Hamilton is leaving Mercedes for Ferrari.
It’s a day most thought would never come. Hamilton himself said last year he expected to remain with Mercedes “til my last days”, and there was “no place I would rather be.”
But the appeal of a shock move to Ferrari, announced for 2025 on Thursday, proved too strong for the seven-time champion seeking a record-breaking eighth world title.
It’s the kind of move F1 fans — and the figures at the top of the sport itself — could have only dreamed of ever happening. Partnering Hamilton, F1’s most famous and successful driver, with Ferrari, F1’s most famous and successful team, is box office stuff.
Indeed, I have written about Ferrari movies in Ford v Ferrari and Leave the Year Behind. Will this lead to another Ferrari movie in a few years? The article continues:
Ferrari has always enjoyed a mythical air in F1. It is ingrained in the sport’s history. You think of Fl, and you think of Ferrari.
There is a degree of romance behind the move. Hamilton has owned Ferrari road cars, and has a close friendship with John Elkann, Ferrari’s president. It will also see Hamilton reunite with Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal. Hamilton raced for Vasseur’s ART Grand Prix team when he was on the ranks leading to F1, and they have remained in close contact ever since.
I like the article closing as it triggered this post as I knew that the cars in my garage are parked, right to left, McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, Lucid, see True Grip (Lucid v McLaren v Ferrari):
It’s worth remembering when Hamilton left McLaren for Mercedes in 2013, when it had just a single race win to its name since returning to F1, the decision was widely doubted. It proved to be a masterstroke. He’ll hope his judgment has proven correct once again.
Enough of this frivolous, fun stuff. Let me close this post with solemn, serious stuff.
First, an article (invited by EIC of Decision Sciences Journal, Srinivas Talluri):
Implementing Innovations in US Transplantation System
Second, a WSJ article that quotes me on AI and UPS layoff:
UPS to Cut 12,000 Jobs and Mandate Return to Offices Five Days a Week
Third, an article in The Hill that quotes me on the Red Sea battle:
US battle with Houthi rebels shows no signs of stopping
