Lewis Hamilton is set to join forces with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari in 2025, creating a formidable driver lineup.
Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, is unlikely to hold any significant grievances about Hamilton’s decision to switch teams. Last spring, Wolff openly stated that he would not hold a grudge if the seven-time world champion decided to seek a car elsewhere that could secure him an eighth World Championship.
Hamilton signed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes last summer. However, after witnessing his team struggle to keep up with Red Bull towards the end of the season, the British driver shocked the motorsport world by committing to drive for Ferrari in 2025.
Wolff hinted at the possibility of this move during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March. Recognizing Mercedes’ potential for another frustrating year following the underwhelming debut of the W14, he commented, “As a driver, if he wants to win another championship, he needs to ensure he has the right car. And if we cannot prove that we are capable of providing him with that car in the next few years, then he should explore other options. Although I don’t think he is considering it at this stage, I will not hold it against him if it happens in a year or two.”
Despite finishing just three points behind each other in the 2023 Constructors’ Championship, Ferrari often appeared to be the team with a better chance of challenging Red Bull. The Italian team secured seven pole positions compared to Mercedes’ one and ended the year with a potentially faster package.
Following Hamilton’s decision to sign with Ferrari, Wolff stayed true to his word and released a respectful statement in response to the significant announcement. He stated, “Lewis will always hold a special place in Mercedes motorsport history. However, we knew that our partnership would come to a natural end at some point, and that time has now arrived. We accept Lewis’s decision to seek a new challenge, and we are excited to think about our future prospects. But for now, we still have one more season to focus on and aim for a strong performance in 2024.”
Hamilton will be eager to end his streak of not winning races before concluding his iconic partnership with Mercedes. The 39-year-old driver won six World Championship titles during his time with the Brackley-based team but has not claimed a victory since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
According to the Source formula1news.co.uk