Lewis Hamilton, the British driver for Mercedes AMG F1, has stated that his upcoming move to Ferrari in 2025 does not require justification, despite the differing fortunes of the two teams. Ferrari announced earlier this year that they had signed Hamilton, who activated an exit clause in his current Mercedes contract. While Ferrari has had a strong start to the season, consistently challenging Red Bull with podium finishes in all four races, Mercedes has struggled with their new car concept, earning their lowest point total at this stage of the season since 2011. When asked if the competitive levels of the teams validated his decision to switch, Hamilton responded that he did not need validation from others and remained confident in his choice. He acknowledged that there would always be critics, but he was focused on what he believed was right for him.
During his dominant years with Mercedes, Hamilton had expressed that he did not plan to continue racing into his 40s like Kimi Raikkonen. However, as he approaches his 40th birthday, he has realized that life is unpredictable and he still feels young and passionate about racing. He admitted that he never expected to be racing in his 40s, but he now intends to continue his career for a while longer. Hamilton expressed gratitude for the presence of other experienced drivers like Raikkonen and hopes that they will continue racing alongside him.
Despite signing a long-term contract with Ferrari, Hamilton will not become the oldest driver on the grid, as Fernando Alonso has decided to extend his contract with Aston Martin. Alonso, who is 43 years old, will remain with the team as they prepare for the sport’s upcoming regulation changes.