It is the season of speculation regarding driver contracts, team principal shifts and final personnel changes as the teams finalize their preparations for the 2024 F1 season. After multiple rumors had flown around social media regarding Lewis Hamilton and a potential move from Mercedes to Ferrari. The rumors have been confirmed by Ferrari via a statement released on social media.
The move doesn’t come as a major surprise. Hamilton hasn’t been in championship winning form since the controversial finish to the 2021 season that saw Max Verstappen crowned world champion. It will be the end of an era however. Hamilton and Mercedes have a long legacy to be proud of. There is still a chance for Hamilton to achieve his 8th world championship in 2024 with the team. He won 6 world championships with Mercedes AMG F1 team with the first coming in 2014.
Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO
“In terms of a team-driver pairing, our relationship with Lewis has become the most successful the sport has seen, and that’s something we can look back on with pride; Lewis will always be an important part of Mercedes motorsport history. 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, and our opportunities for the future are exciting to contemplate. But for now, we still have one season to go, and we are focused on going racing to deliver a strong 2024.”
Lewis Hamilton
“I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together. 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. But the time is right for me to take this step and I’m excited to be taking on a new challenge. 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. 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.”