Lewis Hamilton Set For Shock Ferrari Switch Motor Sport

[Tom]

This thread is for the general discussion of the Formula One Lewis Hamilton Set For Shock Ferrari Switch. Please add to the discussion here.

 

[David76]

Confirmed now, Hamilton has activated a "release option" in his contract.

A statement from Mercedes....

"The 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 August and this season will therefore be his last driving for the Silver Arrows.

"The news brings an end to what is currently a 17-year long relationship in F1 with Mercedes-Benz and an 11-year long partnership with the works team."

Statement from Toto Wolff - "we accept Lewis's decision"

"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's always wanted to drive for Ferrari, and now he will fulfill that dream.

 

[Son Of Jack]

All the best I say. He's been loyal to Mercedes and is in the twilight of his career. One last challenge with the finest F1 team ever? Why not.

Lewis Hamilton: "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."

 

[Tom]

It's not a good look for the Mercedes car development for the next two years, with Hamilton leaving next year. You'd think if there was some potential improvement in the car, he'd have stayed past next year?

Out of all of this, I really hope Sainz gets a great seat for 2025. His drive in Singapore was world class, and he deserves it.

 

[Best]

How does the move benefit Ferrari, is it just PR? I don't think Hamilton is much better than Sainz, and surely they're paying him more?

 

[Franco Pinion]

How does the move benefit Ferrari, is it just PR? I don't think Hamilton is much better than Sainz, and surely they're paying him more?

Ferrari's share price made a big jump on the news so yes there is a money advantage to having Hamilton.