- Lewis Hamilton says his decision to join Ferrari in 2025 was driven by his childhood dream of racing for the iconic Italian team.
- Hamilton expressed his gratitude for his 11 years at Mercedes and admitted the difficulty of leaving the team that has been an important part of his life since he was 13 years old.
- Despite signing a new two-year contract with Mercedes in August, Hamilton has activated his break clause to embark on a new chapter with Ferrari.
- For more sports news, News24 Sports top page.
Lewis Hamilton says his “childhood dream” of racing for Ferrari was behind his bombshell announcement that he would agree to join the team next year.
Hamilton, a seven-time F1 world champion, will leave Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season and join Ferrari.
The 39-year-old signed a new two-year contract with Mercedes in August worth $100 million ($126 million).
But Hamilton this week admitted it was difficult to refuse his request to drive in Ferrari red, triggering his break clause to secure a move to the Italian team.
“It's been a crazy few days filled with a wide range of emotions,” Hamilton said in a statement posted to his social media channels.
“But as you all know, after 11 wonderful years with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, it is time for me to start a new chapter in life and I will be joining Scuderia Ferrari in 2025. .
“After achieving with Mercedes what I could only have dreamed of as a child, I now feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to realize another childhood dream. In a red Ferrari car. It means driving.
“Mercedes has been a big part of my life since I was 13, so this decision was the hardest one I've ever made.”
“Leap of faith”
Hamilton won six world titles in seven years from 2014 to 2020.
However, the British driver has struggled to match Red Bull rival Max Verstappen. It's since he missed out on a record world championship in 2021 in controversial fashion.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff insisted on Friday that he had no concerns about Hamilton's integrity ahead of the final season.
And Hamilton made clear his respect for Wolff and the Mercedes organization, saying: “I'm incredibly proud of everything we've achieved together and the hard work and dedication of everyone I've worked with. I am very grateful to you.” We would like to thank Toto for his friendship, guidance and leadership over the years and of course.
“Together we won titles, broke records and became the most successful driver-team partnership in F1 history.
“But the time has come to make a change and take on new challenges. I still remember the feeling of jumping into the unknown with faith when I first joined Mercedes in 2013.”
“I think some people didn't understand it at the time, but I was right to take action then, and I feel that way again now. What can I bring to this new opportunity? , and I look forward to thinking about what we can do together. “
Pledged to stand with Mercedes in the highest regard, Hamilton said: “I am more motivated than ever, fitter and more focused than ever and I am eager to help Mercedes win again.'' There is,” he added.
“I am 100 percent committed to the job I have to do and am determined to end my partnership with the team on a high note.”