Lewis Hamilton tells his fans through his official channels that he feels incredibly lucky and has the opportunity to fulfill a childhood dream: driving in Ferrari red. In his message he thanks Mercedes for all the years he has driven with the team, but also emphasizes that he is not yet thinking about 2025. He is more driven than ever to help Mercedes get to the top this year.
In addition to a statement from the team, Hamilton had not yet made any announcements after Thursday evening, February 1. It was then announced that Hamilton would leave Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season and switch to Ferrari. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said he is sorry but does not hold any grudges after Hamilton signed a multi-year deal with the German racing team in August. “It’s been a crazy few days, filled with all kinds of emotions,” Hamilton begins in his message on his Instagram page.
“But as you all now know, after an incredible eleven 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,” the statement said. seven-time world champion further. “I feel incredibly lucky, having achieved things with Mercedes that I could only have dreamed of as a child, that I now have the opportunity to fulfill another childhood dream: driving in Ferrari red.” The Brit emphasizes that Mercedes has been part of his life since he was thirteen years old, and that this decision was extremely difficult.
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“I am extremely proud of everything we have achieved together and I am 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,” Hamilton said. further. “Together we have won titles, broken records and become the most successful partnership in F1 history. And of course I can’t forget Niki, who was a huge supporter and who I still miss every day.’
‘My focus is on the coming season with Mercedes’
After Hamilton won his seventh title in 2020 with Mercedes, he failed to win his eighth title in 2021 and break Michael Schumacher’s record. That is why the time has come to take on a new challenge. “I still remember the feeling of a leap of faith when I first joined Mercedes in 2013. I know some people didn’t understand it at the time, but it felt good to take the step and that’s the feeling that I now have again. I am excited to see what I can contribute to this new opportunity and what we can do together,” Hamilton wrote.
Before Hamilton can fulfill his dream, he has to give everything for Mercedes for one more season. ‘But at the moment I am not thinking about 2025. My focus is on the coming season and getting back 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 again. I am 100 percent committed to the task at hand and determined to end my partnership with the team on a high note. Thank you to all of you who have been on this journey with me, you have all supported me as I chase my dreams and I hope I can continue to make you proud. As always, sending you my love and positive energy.”
