Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton will make a shock swap to Ferrari subsequent 12 months, after Mercedes announced on Thursday he would leave the group on the finish of the 2024 season.
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“The time is right for me to take this step and I’m excited to be taking on a new challenge,” mentioned Hamilton.
Ferrari subsequently confirmed the arrival of the 39-year-old Briton, who’s due to associate their present driver Charles Leclerc.
“Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025, on a multi-year contract,” the Italian group mentioned in an announcement.
Hamilton had beforehand held discussions with Ferrari in 2019 about becoming a member of them.
The BBC reported that Mercedes group employees had been known as to a gathering with boss Toto Wolff at their UK headquarters on Thursday to be informed Hamilton will leave on the finish of the 2024 season and head to one in all Formula One’s most storied names.
“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,” Mercedes mentioned in an announcement.
Hamilton had signed a two-year contract with Mercedes for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, however that deal contained a clause permitting him to leave after one season.
“I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together,” Hamilton mentioned.
“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.”
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Several experiences say Hamilton’s settlement with Ferrari was put collectively swiftly because the group was in talks with Spanish driver Carlos Sainz, who introduced he can be leaving the group earlier than the top of the 12 months.
“I and Ferrari will not continue together beyond 2024,” mentioned the 29-year-old from Madrid including he would give every little thing for Ferrari this season.
Hamilton gained the final of his world titles in 2020 however misplaced the 2021 championship in controversial vogue to Max Verstappen when the race director ignored the security automobile guidelines in Abu Dhabi, successfully blocking the Briton’s route to victory in each that grand prix and the championship.
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The Dutch Red Bull driver, who’s 13 years youthful than Hamilton, has dominated the F1 scene ever since.
Lewis Hamilton completed sixth in the drivers’ standings in 2022 and third in 2023.
“Lewis will always be an important part of Mercedes motorsport history,” mentioned Mercedes group principal Toto Wolff.
“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.”-
‘100% dedicated’
Hamilton has by no means hidden his anger on the 2021 incident in Abu Dhabi, believing he was robbed of an eighth title that will have put him forward of Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher.
He has made clear his frustration with the efficiency of his Mercedes automobile in the final two years and believes a transfer to Ferrari will allow him to reignite his problem for that elusive history-making title.
Ferrari have additionally suffered patchy type in the previous couple of seasons though they appeared to discover momentum in direction of the top of final season.
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That enchancment was not sufficient to stop Mercedes beating them to second place behind Red Bull in the constructors’ championship.
“I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together,” mentioned Lewis Hamilton.
“I am 100% committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember.”
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
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