SUMMARY
- Lewis Hamilton gives his statement on his departure from Mercedes.
- Hamilton spent 11 years with the team and will continue to spend his 12th year in 2024.
After 12 years with the team, Lewis Hamilton will be leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari in the 2025 season. This was a move that caught the entire world by storm. While everyone was preparing for the Haas livery launch, Lewis decided to take over the internet after linking himself with the Prancing Horse.
After the official announcement, Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton gave their statements to the public. The statements were released via Mercedes’ official website. There is no doubt that Toto would have been surprised. However, he did come to accept the fact and decided to end things well with Lewis.
Lewis Hamilton’s message after announcing his departure from Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton had nothing but thankful words for Mercedes. In his statement, he showed how much he respected the team and what the last 11 years meant to him.
“I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together. Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old. It’s a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. But the time is right for me to take this step and I’m excited to be taking on a new challenge.
I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together. I am 100% committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember.”
Team Statement
Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025, on a multi-year contract. pic.twitter.com/moEMqUgzXH
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 1, 2024
Lewis was a part of the McLaren family during his junior Formula career. At the time, McLaren had a good relationship with Mercedes. The German brand supplied engines for the team in all their divisions. When Hamilton joined the McLaren F1 team in 2007, he became one of the most popular drivers in F1. He showed that he was a threat to all with the Mercedes engine in his McLaren.
After the 2012 season, Hamilton decided to take his talents to Mercedes. He went on to win 6 Championships while having the three-pointed star on his chest. Hamilton became the most accomplished driver during his term with Mercedes.
The 2025 season will mark the first season without a Mercedes engine for Lewis Hamilton. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to the team and the car. He will be partnered with one of the best young drivers on the grid, Charles Leclerc. So the 7-time Champion will have his work cut out for him as he faces this new challenge.
Lewis Hamilton receives warm farewell from Mercedes sponsor
While driving for Mercedes, Hamilton became the brand ambassador for a number of brands. One of these brands was IWC Schaffhausen. The British driver has been featured in a number of promotional videos and posts for IWC.
After Hamilton ends his career with Mercedes, he will no longer be a brand ambassador for IWC. The Swiss watch company is a sponsor for Mercedes and can only have their drivers as brand ambassadors. As a thank you, IWC posted a heartfelt farewell message on their social media page.
View this post on Instagram
“We would like to thank Lewis for his outstanding contribution as a brand ambassador and member of the worldwide IWC Schaffhausen family. Since 2013, we have celebrated many milestones and created countless memories. We look forward to another exciting season together. For his future endeavors, on and off the race track, we wish Lewis all the best.”
Going to Ferrari, Lewis will be the brand ambassador for Richard Mille. We can expect to see him in a few Richard Mille promotions from the 2025 season.