Earlier this week rumors were spreading that F1 driver Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of the season to join Ferrari from 2025. Days later it was officially confirmed by Mercedes that the former World Champion will leave at the end of the 2024 season. However, Hamilton was close-lipped on the matter for some days.
The British driver has finally broken his silence following the surprise announcement of his departure from Mercedes.
Lewis Hamilton’s message after Mercedes exit confirmed
A day after the official announcement from Mercedes, seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton took to social media to share an emotional farewell message about his departure. He posted an emotional tweet on X bidding adieu to the team for which he raced the past 11 years, winning six Driver’s championship titles.
Talking about his roller-coaster of emotions this week, he tweeted, “It’s been crazy few days which have been filled with a whole range of emotions.”
Months after rejecting Ferrari, he will now join the Italian giants from the 2025 season. About joining Ferrari, he added “… after an incredible 11 years at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, the time has come for me to start a new chapter in my life, and I will be joining Scuderia Ferrari in 2025”.
“I feel incredibly fortunate, after achieving things with Mercedes that I could only have dreamed of as a kid, that I now have the chance to fulfil another childhood dream. Driving in Ferrari red”, he continued.
“Mercedes has been a huge part of my life since I was 13 years old, so this decision has been the hardest I’ve ever had to make. I’m incredibly proud of all that we’ve achieved together and I’m very grateful for the hard work and dedication of everyone I have worked with over the years and of course Toto, for his friendship, guidance and leadership”.
“Together we have won titles, broken records and become the most successful Driver-Team partnership in F1 history. And of course, I cannot forget Niki who was a huge supporter and who I still miss everyday”.
“I must also share my huge appreciation to the whole of the Mercedes-Benz board and everyone at the company in Germany and around the world for supporting me over these 26 years”.
Reflecting on his ‘right’ switch from McLaren to Mercedes, he added, “The time is right to make a change and take on a new challenge. I still remember the feeling of taking a leap of faith into the unknown when I first joined Mercedes in 2013. I know some people didn’t understand it at the time, but I was right to make the move then and it’s the feeling I have again now. I’m excited to see what I can bring to this new opportunity and what we can do together”.
He finished off saying, “Right now, I’m not thinking about 2025. My focus is on the upcoming season and getting back out on track with Mercedes. I am more driven than ever, I am fitter and more focused than ever, and I want to help Mercedes win once again. I am 100% committed to the job I need to do and determined to end my partnership with the team on a high”.
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes will kick-off their last season together at the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 2nd.
Looking back at Hamilton’s F1 journey with Mercedes
As Lewis Hamilton makes the switch to Ferrari from 2025, let’s take a look at his achievements throughout his 11-year journey with Mercedes.
During these 11 years, the Hamilton-Mercedes relationship has gone to become a record-breaking partnership. He has secured 82 Grand Prix victories, 77 pole positions, and 142 podium finishes for Mercedes till date.
He has also notched the fastest lap award 49 times so far. His time at Mercedes reached a legendary status when he won his seventh World Championship title. Their most dominant streak was from 2017 to 2020, winning the World Championship four times in a row.
Despite this, the last couple of seasons have been underwhelming for both Mercedes and Hamilton. But Hamilton will be looking to grab his eighth World title this season and finish off in style with Mercedes.
As this season will be Lewis Hamilton’s last with Mercedes, will he be able to win his record-breaking eighth Driver’s Championship? Let us know about your predictions in the comments below.
