Lewis Hamilton is set to join Ferrari in 2025, ending his successful partnership with Mercedes. Eddie Jordan, the former F1 team owner, was not surprised by Hamilton’s decision, dismissing David Coulthard’s disbelief and stating that it was only a matter of time. Ferrari officially announced last Thursday that Hamilton, at the age of 39, would replace Carlos Sainz and team up with Charles Leclerc from 2025 onwards. Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was made possible by invoking a release clause in his Mercedes contract, which initially tied him to the team until 2025. With seven F1 titles under his belt, Hamilton sought a new challenge after committing to Mercedes for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. This departure marks the end of a decade-long association between Hamilton and Mercedes, which began when he left McLaren for Brackley in 2013. Despite Mercedes’ previous dominance, Hamilton’s performance has declined in recent seasons, culminating in winless campaigns in 2022 and 2023, where he earned his lowest number of points since 2013. Speculation about Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has been circulating for some time, despite him rejecting a contract extension with the Scuderia last year. Reports suggested a potential £40 million deal could have been on the table. Jordan dismissed Coulthard’s surprise at Hamilton’s switch, revealing that discussions about the possibility had taken place as early as September. He deemed it predictable, considering the ongoing rumors surrounding Hamilton’s future. Coulthard expressed his astonishment during the Formula for Success podcast, but Jordan directly responded, highlighting their previous conversations on the matter. Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was not unexpected for those closely following the sport, as Jordan asserted that it was a foreseeable development rather than a surprising turn of events.
According to the Source formula1news.co.uk