Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time F1 world champion, has shocked the motorsport world by announcing he will leave Mercedes and join Ferrari in 2025. The British driver, who has competed for Silver Arrows since 2013 and then has won six titles, decided to finish his dominant partnership and to find new challenges in Scuderia. He will team up with Charles Leclerc who has signed a long-term deal with Ferrari and hopefully revive the fortunes of the Italian team who have not won a championship since 2008.
Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari is one of the grandest and, at the same time, most unexpected transfers in the history of F1 that is going to have huge implications for the sport, teams, and fans. How will this historic move play out in the next season? The article tries to outline the reasons, and the reactions, that Hamilton’s stunning decision will produce.
Why Hamilton Chose Ferrari Over Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton decision to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari in 2025 has sent shockwaves across the F1 world. It has led to many fans and pundits speculating what motivated the seven-time world champion to make such a drastic change in his career. According to sources close to Hamilton, several factors influenced his choice.
One of them is his desire for a new challenge and a fresh start. Hamilton has achieved everything he could with Mercedes, winning six titles and breaking several records with the team. He has also faced little competition from his teammates, as neither Valtteri Bottas nor George Russell could match his pace and consistency. Hamilton felt he needed a new environment and a new rival to reignite his passion and motivation for the sport.
Another factor is his admiration, and respect towards the most iconic and successful team in F1 history until now: Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton has always expressed affinity towards the Scuderia and has even been to their headquarters in Maranello multiple times. He has also disclosed that as a child, his hero was Ayrton Senna who, before he died in such tragic circumstances, had dreamt of racing for the great Ferrari. Hamilton wanted to follow in his footsteps and fulfill his own dream of wearing the famous red overalls.
A third factor is his ambition to create a legacy and a history with Ferrari, something that only a few drivers have done. Lewis Hamilton knows that winning a title with Ferrari would elevate his status and reputation in the sport, and would make him one of the greatest drivers of all time. He also knows that Ferrari has been improving their car and their team under Mattia Binotto, and has shown signs of potential and promise in the past season. He believes he can help them return to their glory days and end their long drought of championships.
These are some of the reasons why Hamilton chose Ferrari over Mercedes, a decision that will have a huge impact on the F1 landscape.
How Mercedes Reacted to Hamilton’s Departure
Mercedes were caught off guard by Lewis Hamilton decision to leave the team and join Ferrari in 2025. The German manufacturer, who has dominated the sport for most of the hybrid era, was expecting Hamilton to honor his contract and stay with them until the end of 2025.
However, they were informed by Hamilton’s representatives that he had activated a clause in his deal that allowed him to terminate it early and switch to their arch-rivals.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed his shock and disappointment at Hamilton’s move, but also thanked him for his contribution and achievements with the team.
He said: “We are very surprised and saddened by Lewis’s decision to leave us. He has been an integral part of our team and our family for the past 12 years, and we have shared some incredible moments and memories. He is not only a great driver, but also a great person and a great leader. We respect his choice and wish him all the best for the future.”
Wolff also confirmed that Mercedes would announce Hamilton’s replacement in the coming weeks and that they had several options to consider.
He said: “We have a strong driver line-up and a strong driver academy, and we are confident that we can find a suitable successor to Lewis. We will announce due course, but we are not in a hurry. We have a lot of respect for Lewis and we want to give him the proper farewell he deserves.”
Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas, who has been Hamilton’s teammate since 2017, also reacted to the news and said he was happy for Hamilton, but also eager to take on the challenge of leading the team.
He said: “Lewis is a great friend and a great teammate, and I have learned a lot from him. I am happy for him that he has found a new challenge and a new motivation. I think he will do well at Ferrari and I look forward to racing against him. At the same time, I am excited to take on the role of the team leader and to show what I can do. I have been working hard to improve myself and to help the team get back to the top. I think we have a good chance to fight for the title next year.”
Mercedes fans, however, were less than pleased with Hamilton’s decision and took to social media to express their anger and frustration. Many of them accused Hamilton of being disloyal, ungrateful, and greedy, and said they would no longer support him. Some of them even burned their Hamilton merchandise and posted videos of it online. Others, however, were more understanding and supportive and said they would continue to follow Hamilton’s career and cheer for him. They also thanked him for his service and his success with the team.
Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari is a major blow for Mercedes, who have lost their star driver and their leader. It is also a major boost for Ferrari, who have gained a proven winner and a legend.
Bottom Line
Lewis Hamilton decision to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari in 2025 is one of the most shocking and significant moves in F1 history. It will have a huge impact on the sport, the teams, and the fans, and will create a new era of excitement and competition in F1.
