SUMMARY
- Lewis Hamilton's surprising move to Ferrari in 2025 took the grid by storm.
- Hamilton has been a key figure at Mercedes since 2013, but this long-standing partnership has come to an end.
The seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton shook the world media with his unanticipated move to Ferrari in 2025. The formal announcement is expected when team principal Toto Wolff addresses the Mercedes staff at their Brackley headquarters later today. This seems to be the consequence of Carlos Sainz’s incompetence in acquiring a contract extension with Prancing Horse.
The British driver had been an integral part of the Mercedes Petronas F1 team for a decade since 2013. Hamilton as well as fans witnessed his rise to fame with multi-season dominance with the Brackley-based team. He boasts of seven world titles out of which six were earned under the very same organization. However, this sudden shift is one hard pill to swallow for the entire outfit.
Surprise alert: Toto Wolff learns of Hamilton’s departure a day ago
The 39-year-old driver, who extended his contract with Mercedes until the end of 2025, seems poised to opt out of the second year of this agreement. In the Ferrari lineup, Hamilton is anticipated to replace the Spaniard, whose contract concludes at the end of the 2024 season. Lewis Hamilton is going to be partnering with Charles Leclerc as the driver is slated to be onboard for a few more years.
⚠️ | Lewis Hamilton only informed Toto Wolff of his departure to Ferrari yesterday.
[@Motorsport] pic.twitter.com/XHR0RpnJSP
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) February 1, 2024
However, the unfortunate news was delivered to the Austrian team lead at Mercedes just a couple of hours before the news broke out. Reports suggest that it reshuffle was very impromptu as Wolff was informed only yesterday. A significant factor influencing Hamilton’s move could be Mercedes’ decline in performance in the current era.
Since the 2022 season, they managed only one victory, leaving Hamilton without a win for two consecutive seasons. On the other hand, it came to light that Ferrari and its team principal Fred Vassuer have been consistent in their efforts to get the 7x champion in the team.
Wolff broke the Lewis Hamilton news via video call
The Silver Arrows staff came together at 3 p.m. Italian time for a briefing from the team principal. It is logical to infer that this meeting took place to disclose Hamilton’s departure ahead of the new season. Wolff delivered this news to the team through an online video call given that he was in Milan. The ongoing contract did not cause hindrance for the driver to sign up with the Scuderia.
Lewis Hamilton went paintballing with Mercedes employees today and informed them himself that he is leaving the team at the end of the season.
— Mercedes-AMG F1 News (@MercedesNewsUK) February 1, 2024
While the initial agreement suggested a commitment until the close of 2025, it essentially operated as a ‘1 + 1’ arrangement. This meant it required him to be on the team only until the conclusion of 2024, with the option for an extension until the end of 2025, a choice Hamilton has chosen not to act upon.