ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 12: Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, shakes hands with Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP, who finished second, on the podium during the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Christian Horner, the head of Red Bull Racing, has suggested that Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025 could be a brilliant decision, similar to his move to Mercedes. Hamilton surprised the Formula 1 world with his announcement that he will be leaving Mercedes at the end of this year to join Ferrari. This move will mark the end of Hamilton’s long-standing partnership with Mercedes, where he has achieved seven championships and won 82 races.
Horner admits that he was surprised by the news, but he believes that the sport will benefit from having the most successful driver and team aligned. He also draws a comparison to when Hamilton left a successful McLaren team to join Mercedes, a team that had only achieved one victory since its return to Formula 1 in 2010.
“Initially, everyone, including his current team, was surprised by Lewis’ decision to join Ferrari. However, he must have seen something there that he believes will serve him better than staying where he is,” Horner stated. “In the past, Hamilton has shown that he is not afraid to make bold decisions. His move from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013 seemed questionable at the time but turned out to be a stroke of genius.”
Horner believes that Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is a thrilling prospect for Formula 1.
Meanwhile, Sergio Perez has suggested that the upcoming season may present challenges for Hamilton and Mercedes as Perez’s move to Ferrari draws nearer. When asked about his thoughts on this significant revelation, Perez commented, “It’s intriguing, but what interests me more is observing the dynamics from an outsider’s perspective. With a driver transitioning to a new team, the teams become wary of sharing information. Lewis has spent many years with Mercedes and will bring a wealth of knowledge to his new team. So, yes, it will be fascinating to witness the unfolding dynamics from the outside.”
However, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff was quick to address any concerns once the news was confirmed, expressing his trust in Hamilton’s integrity to refrain from sharing critical information. “As a Team Principal, and as a collective at Mercedes, we have always prioritized transparency and fairness. That will not change in 2024,” Wolff assured selected media outlets. “We owe it to our principles and our racing ethos to maintain our approach. I am confident that the drivers will also uphold these values.”
“In terms of future development, it is something we need to consider. The regulations remain largely unchanged, and we will assess the implications in terms of technical information as we approach 2025. However, this is not a concern for me,” Wolff elaborated. “We have had engineers leave to join other teams, sometimes with notice periods as short as six months. Therefore, I have no doubts about Lewis’s integrity when it comes to sharing information. Our objective is to ensure a successful season for both drivers and for Mercedes. We will all strive to achieve that.”
According to the Source motorsportweek.com