Lewis Hamilton is leaving Mercedes, marking the end of an era in Formula One. The seven-time world champion announced his departure from the team on February 1, 2024, after 11 successful seasons together. He will be joining Ferrari in 2025 for a multi-year contract.
The move comes as a surprise to many, as Hamilton and Mercedes have dominated the sport in recent years, winning six of the last eight constructors’ championships and six of Hamilton’s seven world titles. However, it is clear that Hamilton is looking for a new challenge, and Ferrari is one of the most prestigious teams in Formula One history.
“I’d be lying if I said I’d never thought about ending my career anywhere else. I started at McLaren, I’d like to think I’ll always be a part of the McLaren family, I started there when I was 13 years old, so I thought about what it would look like if I was at McLaren one day,” said Hamilton in media reports in 2023.
Hamilton’s departure leaves a big hole at Mercedes, and it will be interesting to see who they choose to replace him. Some potential candidates include George Russell, who currently drives for Williams, and Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.
For Ferrari, the signing of Hamilton is a major coup.
“I thought about and watched the Ferrari drivers on the screens at the track and of course you wonder what it would be like to be in red… But then I go to my team, to Mercedes, and this is my home. I’m happy where I am. I haven’t signed a contract yet, but we are working on one,” he added.
Ferrari have not won a drivers’ championship since 2007, and they will be hoping that Hamilton can help them end their drought. The pairing of Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, who recently signed a new contract with Ferrari, is one of the most exciting in Formula One history, and it will be fascinating to see how they perform together.
“11 years, six world titles, 82 wins, Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton’s partnership has been one of a kind,” said F1 in their Facebook page. Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes marks a significant moment in Formula One history. It will be fascinating to see how this move plays out and what impact it has on the sport in the years to come.
