In a stunning announcement, Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time World Champion, has declared his intention to leave the Mercedes team at the end of the 2024 season. Hamilton’s decision marks the end of an era, as he has been with Mercedes since 2013, during which he achieved the majority of his career successes.
Hamilton expressed the difficulty of making this decision, stating, “I want to leave, I can’t stay here anymore.” The 39-year-old driver has cited a need for new challenges and a fresh environment as the primary reasons for his departure. Hamilton’s move comes after a long tenure with Mercedes, where he won six of his seven World Championships and became one of the most dominant drivers in the sport’s history.
The British driver is set to join Ferrari, a team he has admired and been linked with throughout his career. Ferrari confirmed Hamilton’s arrival shortly after Mercedes announced his departure, indicating that Hamilton will be replacing Carlos Sainz. This move to Ferrari will see Hamilton racing for just the third team in his illustrious career, having started with McLaren before joining Mercedes.
Hamilton reflected on his time with Mercedes with deep appreciation, saying, “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.” He added that he is fully committed to finishing the current season on a high note with Mercedes and expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from the team, especially from team principal Toto Wolff.
The move to Ferrari represents a new chapter for Hamilton, who has often spoken about the allure of racing for the iconic Italian team. “For many years, when I came to Monza, walking next to the fans, I could hear them saying, ‘Come to Ferrari!’ This warmed my heart,” Hamilton shared. The transition to Ferrari is expected to rejuvenate Hamilton’s career and add another layer of excitement to the Formula 1 grid in 2025.
As Hamilton prepares to leave Mercedes, the F1 community is abuzz with speculation about the future dynamics of the sport. His move to Ferrari is not just a personal milestone but also a significant shift that will likely impact team strategies and rivalries in the seasons to come.
