Lewis Hamilton is embarking on his final season with Mercedes, set to join Ferrari in 2025. As the F1 world buzzes with this dramatic shift, Hamilton addresses whether he fears being an ‘outsider’ at Mercedes during his final months.
Hamilton and Mercedes have enjoyed an illustrious partnership, netting six World titles and eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships from 2014 to 2021. However, this successful chapter is nearing its conclusion.
Ahead of the 2024 F1 season, news broke of Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari, where he will race starting in 2025. Given the competitive nature of F1, questions arose about whether Hamilton would become an ‘outsider’ at Mercedes as the team directs its focus on future performance, which they might want to keep confidential. However, Hamilton dispelled these concerns.
Speaking with Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle, Hamilton confidently said, ‘I don’t think so. I mean, so far, I have been really hands-on and very much involved in the development of this car. I think that’s the only way we can work this year.’ He emphasized that both he and the team have maintained transparency, adding, ‘I’ve not kept anything from them and they haven’t kept anything from me. I want the team to succeed, even when I’m not here.’
Reflecting on his recent successes, including a long-awaited victory at the 2024 British Grand Prix and a win at the Belgian GP, Hamilton expressed pride and gratitude for his time with Mercedes. ‘I think with the success we’ve had just recently, I mean, I’m a part of that and I feel really grateful and proud to be a part of that,’ he shared.
As Hamilton looks ahead to racing for Ferrari, he admitted that it will feel “really strange” due to his long tenure with Mercedes. He candidly expressed, ‘Naturally, I think everything’s going to feel alien because I’ve been with Mercedes for so long.’
With 10 rounds left in the 2024 F1 season, Hamilton’s current standings place him sixth in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing Max Verstappen by 127 points, while Mercedes holds the fourth position in the Constructors’ standings, 142 points behind Red Bull.
Lewis Hamilton’s transition from Mercedes to Ferrari marks the end of an era and the start of a new chapter. Despite the looming change, Hamilton remains committed to his current team, showing no signs of fear about being sidelined. His focus on transparency and mutual success underlines the professionalism that has defined his remarkable career.
