Lewis Hamilton releases his first thoughts since the announcement of leaving Mercedes for Ferrari from F1 2025 onward.
With the announcement done from Mercedes and Ferrari, Hamilton has shared his first thoughts on the move pending for 2025 F1 season. It came out of nowhere but it was always a dream of the Brit to drive the ‘red coloured’ car at some point.
The opportunity came at this juncture where he cut short his Mercedes contract by one year to switch to Ferrari. It is a multi-year contract and maybe his last in F1 as he readies to partner Charles Leclerc, to make it a formidable pairing on the grid.
Hamilton has thanked Mercedes and Toto Wolff for all the memories and even recalls Niki Lauda and the time he joined the team in 2023 when there were multiple naysayers. It has been a historic move with the titles they have together.
As of now, Hamilton looking to finish the 2024 season with Mercedes on a good note, before embarking the new journey. “It’s been a crazy few days which have been filled with a whole range of emotions,” he said. “But as you all now know, after an incredible 11 years at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, the time has come for me to start a new chapter in my life and I will be joining Scuderia Ferrari in 2025.
“I feel incredibly fortunate, after achieving things with Mercedes that I could only have dreamed of as a kid, that I now have the chance to fulfil another childhood dream. Driving in Ferrari red. Mercedes has been a huge part of my life since I was 13 years old, so this decision has been the hardest I’ve ever had to make. I’m incredibly proud of all that we’ve achieved together and I’m very grateful for the hard work and dedication of everyone I have worked with over the years and of course Toto, for his friendship, guidance and leadership.
“Together we have won titles, broken records and become the most successful Driver-Team partnership in F1 history. And of course I cannot forget Niki who was a huge supporter and who I still miss everyday. I must also share my huge appreciation to the whole of the Mercedes-Benz board and everyone at the company in Germany and around the world for supporting me over these 26 years. But the time is right to make a change and take on a new challenge.
“I still remember the feeling of taking a leap of faith into the unknown when I first joined Mercedes in 2013. I know some people didn’t understand it at the time but I was right to make the move then and it’s the feeling I have again now. I’m excited to see what I can bring to this new opportunity and what we can do together. However, right now, I’m not thinking about 2025. My focus is on the upcoming season and getting back out on track with Mercedes.
“I am more driven than ever, I am fitter and more focussed than than ever and I want to help Mercedes win once again. I am 100% committed to the job I need to do and determined to end my partnership with the team on a high. Thank you to all of you who have been on this journey with me, you have all lifted me up as I chase my dreams and I hope I can continue to make you proud. As always, sending you my love and positive energy,” summed up Hamilton.
Here’s Toto Wolff on how it all panned out with Lewis Hamilton
Here’s Mercedes announcing Lewis Hamilton’s departure
Here’s Lewis Hamilton on 2023 being emotionally draining
Here’s Mercedes on being impressed by George Russell
Here’s Toto Wolff on seeing F1 numbers not declining even with Red Bull dominance
Here’s Mercedes signing new deal with James Allison
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