Lewis Hamilton's shocking choice to drive for Ferrari in the 2025 Formula 1 season has finally been confirmed. I The confirmation capped off a day full of unexpected turns, sending shockwaves through the Formula 1 world after Hamilton's shocking action. Mercedes announced the seven-time champion would be leaving their team at the end of the current year, putting an end to any remaining speculation.
Throughout his remarkable career, Hamilton has been an essential element for Mercedes since the 2013 season. He has won six of his seven world championships with Mercedes, in addition to the one he won with McLaren. Despite extending his contract with Mercedes until 2025 last summer, Hamilton will have his time with the team reduced to help with this popular change.
After two difficult seasons in which Hamilton and the Brackley team struggled to adjust to Formula 1's most recent ground effect era and leading to a decline in performance and a loss of ground to Red Bull, the British driver has decided to join Ferrari. An exciting new chapter is about to open in Hamilton's renowned career as he prepares to join the iconic Italian team. The driver and the team are both looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
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Lewis Hamilton said: "I have had an amazing 11 years with this team [Mercedes] 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.
Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team and Lewis Hamilton will part ways at the end of the 2024 season. Lewis has activated a release option in the contract announced last year.
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) February 1, 2024
"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," he added.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal and CEO, commented: "In terms of a team-driver pairing, our relationship with Lewis has become the most successful the sport has seen, and that's something we can look back on with pride; Lewis will always be an important part of Mercedes motorsport history.
"However, we knew our partnership would come to a natural end at some point, and that day has now come. We accept Lewis's decision to seek a fresh challenge, and our opportunities for the future are exciting to contemplate. But for now, we still have one season to go, and we are focused on going racing to deliver a strong 2024." he added.
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F1: Hamilton to Partner Charles Leclerc
The upcoming seasons will see Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc team up at Ferrari, creating a formidable partnership. Thanks to his new multi-year deal, Leclerc will be able to ride on with the Italian squad for a good number of seasons to come. The current Ferrari driver, Carlos Sainz, is only contracted to the team until the end of the current season, which has led to rumours that he may join the newly formed Audi team for the 2026 Formula One season.
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
After taking over for Sebastian Vettel in the 2021 season, Carlos Sainz's tenure comes to an end with this move to Ferrari. Thus, Lewis Hamilton will say a heartfelt goodbye to the Mercedes team and Formula One with the 2024 season. During his time there, he accomplished tremendous success, winning six of his seven championships, 82 races, and 78 pole positions. By joining forces with his brilliant teammate, Charles Leclerc, Hamilton is set to embark on a new phase of his career at Ferrari, where he will face new challenges and seize new opportunities.
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