Lewis Hamilton shocked the internet a couple of weeks ago week, as Ferrari announced that he would be replacing Carlos Sainz in 2025. After winning 7 world champion with Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton decided to part ways, marking the end an era. This left the Motorsport world in shock given that he had been rumored to have conversations with Ferrari during the 2023 season, but had denied the possibility of joining Ferrari. In fact, in 2023, he declared that he and Mercedes had unfinished business (Slater, 2024).
(Foster, 2022)
Nonetheless , when Hamilton told Toto Wolf, Mercedes F1 Team Manager, that he wouldbe leaving at the end of the 2024 season, Wolff wasn’t surprised. In fact, Toto Wolff revealed that when discussing the contract, the team had opted for a much shorter term. Thus, leaving room for opportunity, for both Lewis and the F1 team. However, this was a clear indication that the both were looking to observe different drivers and teams (Lewis Hamilton: Toto Wolff says Mercedes Driver’s 2025 move to Ferrari was ‘not a surprise’ and he holds ‘no grudge‘, 2024).
According to Toto Wolff, Mercedes AMG F1 team manager, Hamilton had explained that he was in need of a big change. Wolff reiterated that he understood his perspective, as Lewis Hamilton had one of the longest careers and contracts with Mercedes. Indeed, Wolff explained that they still have one year left, and he was looking forward to making it count. Thus, Wolff would be looking to fight for this years championship, despite that being unlikely (Lewis Hamilton: Toto Wolff says Mercedes Driver’s 2025 move to Ferrari was ‘not a surprise’ and he holds ‘no grudge’ 2024).
The manager also expressed that he would not hold a grudge. He stated that he would look back to Hamilton’s time in Mercedes as one of motorsports most successful partnerships and relationships. He reiterated that this is simply the end of his professional relationship with Toto, but not the end of the long lasting relationship and friendship Lewis and him had managed to build (Lewis Hamilton: Toto Wolff says Mercedes Driver’s 2025 move to Ferrari was ‘not a surprise’ and he holds ‘no grudge’ 2024).
Finally, Lewis Hamilton’s quick move to Mercedes reflects the statement that Sebastian Vettel once said: “Everybody is a Ferrari Fan.” At least that is certainly the case for Lewis
Hamilton.
References:
Foster, M. (2022, May 31). Lewis Hamilton “would support Charles Leclerc, I’m a Ferrari fan.” PlanetF1. https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-hamilton-would-support-charles-leclerc
Sky Sports. (2024, February 3). Lewis Hamilton: Toto Wolff says Mercedes Driver’s 2025 move to Ferrari was “not a surprise” and he holds “no grudge.” Sky Sports.
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13062142/lewis-hamilton-toto-wolff-says-mercedes-drivers-2025-move-to-ferrari-was-not-a-surprise-and-he-holds-no-grudge
Slater, N. C. and C. (2024, February 2). Lewis Hamilton to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari for 2025 formula 1 season. Sky Sports. https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13061245/lewis-hamilton-to-join-ferrari-for- 2025-formula-1-season
