In 2025, Lewis Hamilton will fulfill a dream he had since he was a child by joining Ferrari. The seven-time Formula One world champion recently explained his reasons for leaving Mercedes, stating that it was the same intuition that led him to join the team in 2013.

Hamilton surprised everyone on Thursday by revealing that he will be joining Ferrari next year. This move caught Mercedes off guard, as he has been with the team for 11 years and won six world championships with them. This news was particularly unexpected since he had signed a two-year contract with Mercedes just last August.

The team and Hamilton released a short statement, but the 39-year-old has since spoken out on social media, sharing his excitement to join Ferrari while also acknowledging that it was a difficult decision to make.

“I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to accomplish things with Mercedes that I could only imagine as a child. Now, I have the chance to fulfill another childhood dream by driving in the iconic Ferrari red,” said the individual. “Mercedes has been a significant part of my life since I was 13 years old, making this decision the most difficult one I have ever had to make.”

Hamilton also showed appreciation to the team responsible for his achievements, including team principal Toto Wolff, with whom he has developed a close friendship, and the late team advisor and former world champion Niki Lauda.

In the last two seasons, Mercedes has faced difficulties with a slower car and has been overshadowed by Max Verstappen and Red Bull. During this time, Lewis Hamilton has not been able to win a race since the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix in 2021. Despite this, he has not attributed their decrease in performance as a factor in his decision. Instead, he expressed a desire to pursue a fresh challenge in a new setting, which is likely to be his last team in his racing career.

Upon joining Mercedes in 2013, he surprised his former team McLaren, where he had been a young driver since the age of 13, by announcing his departure. This decision was met with doubt and criticism, as McLaren was a top team contending for championships while Mercedes was still struggling to keep up at the front. However, his intuition proved to be right and just one year later, with the introduction of new turbo-hybrid regulations, he claimed the title and Mercedes went on to win eight consecutive constructors’ championships.

Hamilton stressed the parallels between the two occurrences. He stated, “Now is the opportune moment to make a shift and embark on a fresh endeavor.” He reflected on the sensation of taking a risk into unfamiliar territory when he initially joined Mercedes in 2013.

Some individuals may not have comprehended my decision initially, but I stand by it now as well. I am eager to discover what I can contribute to this fresh opportunity and what we can achieve together.

Wolff has expressed his complete trust in Hamilton’s commitment for the upcoming season at Mercedes. The season will kick off with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 2nd and Wolff remains optimistic about Hamilton’s chances of winning his eighth title with the team.

Hamilton expressed his determination to end his partnership with the team on a successful note. He stated that he is not currently thinking about 2025, but instead focusing on the upcoming season and returning to the track with Mercedes. He emphasized his increased drive, fitness, and focus, and his goal of helping Mercedes achieve victory once again. Hamilton declared his complete dedication to his role and his determination to finish his time with the team on a positive note.

Source: theguardian.com