A bang in Formula 1! Record world champion Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes after the 2024 season and move to Ferrari. The teams confirmed this on Thursday evening.
Formula 1 is being shaken by a real personnel earthquake. After rumors initially circulated on Thursday morning about Lewis Hamilton’s early move from Mercedes to Ferrari, the Silver Arrows confirmed the record world champion’s departure in the evening. Shortly afterwards, Ferrari confirmed that Hamilton was moving to Maranello.
Hamilton has activated an exit option in his contract announced last August and “will therefore drive for the Silver Arrows for the last time this season,” Mercedes said.
“I’m there [bei Mercedes] grew up, and the decision to leave this place was one of the hardest I’ve ever had to make. But the time is ripe for this step and I’m looking forward to the new challenge,” Hamilton is quoted in the statement without directly naming Ferrari as the Brit’s destination.
“I will forever be grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto for his friendship and leadership, and I want to find a happy ending together,” Hamilton continued.
The seven-time champion had signed a contract with Ferrari for several years, the Italian racing team announced shortly afterwards.
Wolff informs Mercedes crew about Hamilton’s farewell
The rumors about the spectacular change quickly spread like wildfire on Thursday after the Italian portal “Formu1a.uno” was the first to report on Hamilton’s departure. The trade press, individual journalists and insiders then followed suit and confirmed the portal’s information. sport.de was also able to confirm the change hammer.
As the morning progressed, further details became known. For example, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff first wants to inform the workforce in the factory in Brackley and then also inform the public. This finally happened in the afternoon and evening.
Ferrari is fulfilling a long-held wish
By signing the seven-time world champion, the traditional racing team from Maranello is fulfilling a long-held wish. In recent years, Ferrari has repeatedly felt whether a change for the Briton could be realized. Both Hamilton and those responsible at Ferrari confirmed corresponding discussions.
“Could Hamilton possibly show up in Maranello? We’ve been talking for 20 years,” team boss Fred Vasseur commented on the long-standing Hamilton rumors to “Corriere Dello Sport” with a smile just about a month ago. Now it is clear: his statement was anything but a flippant and not meant to be taken seriously.
Sainz loses his place at Ferrari
With Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes is losing one of the best drivers of all time. In the cockpit of the Silver Arrows, the 39-year-old, whose original contract ran until the end of 2026, won six world titles, 82 of his 103 Grand Prix victories and 78 of his 104 pole positions. In total, the Brit scored a whopping 3,726.5 World Championship points for the racing team.
Hamilton will take over from Carlos Sainz at Ferrari after the 2024 season. The Spaniard had waited in vain for an offer from Scuderia until the end. Just a few days ago, “motorsport.com” reported that the reason for this could be another driver. The portal then brought Alex Albon’s name into play. Now it is clear that the name is many times bigger.