Lewis Hamilton’s affection for Mercedes remains strong despite entering his final season with the team before joining Ferrari in the next season. Hamilton made the surprising decision to switch to Ferrari before the start of the 2024 season, ending his nearly 12-year tenure with the Silver Arrows. Speculation arose that Mercedes’ declining performance played a role in his departure, but the seven-time world champion has clarified that his love for Mercedes remains unwavering.
Hamilton’s struggles due to Mercedes’ decline in the ground-effect era have continued into the 2024 season. The 39-year-old has yet to achieve a podium finish in any of the main races. However, Hamilton insists that his loyalty lies with Mercedes despite their performance slump. He emphasizes his desire to deliver better results with the German manufacturer this year.
Despite the challenges faced by the team, Hamilton remains committed and proud of the work accomplished thus far. He expresses hope for improved performance as the season progresses, although he refrains from claiming that the situation cannot worsen. Only time will reveal how Hamilton’s final season with Mercedes concludes.
One might assume that Hamilton had been in contact with Ferrari prior to his move, but he reveals that he had no communication with the team. Instead, he observed them from a distance and maintained his focus on Mercedes surpassing them. This situation of switching teams while still being part of one is new to Hamilton, and he expresses excitement about continuing to work with the Mercedes crew in the present and with Ferrari in the future. Furthermore, he appreciates the positive response from his fans regarding his unexpected career move.
Hamilton’s 2024 season has not unfolded as anticipated. The 39-year-old consistently misses out on the opportunity to contend for the championship. Mercedes plans to introduce significant in-season upgrades in hopes of achieving better results with their car. As it stands, there is a possibility that McLaren could surpass Brackley in the constructors’ championship if Mercedes fails to perform well.