Lewis Hamilton Surprises Mercedes Team Principal with Decision to Leave for Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton shocked Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff, when he announced his departure from the F1 team for Ferrari. However, Wolff stated that there is no bad blood between them.
Rumors Confirmed Over Breakfast Meeting
Wolff revealed that he had heard rumors of Hamilton’s potential departure but only received confirmation during a breakfast meeting at Wolff’s home in Oxford, England.
Hamilton’s Move to Ferrari
Hamilton, who has raced for Mercedes since 2013 and won six of his seven titles with the team, is set to join Ferrari for the 2025 season.
Unexpected News
Wolff expressed his surprise at the timing of Hamilton’s decision, stating that while he knew Hamilton was seeking a new challenge, he did not expect it to happen so soon.
No Grudges Held
Despite the unexpected nature of Hamilton’s departure, Wolff emphasized that he holds no grudge against his friend and will discuss the situation in the future.
Shocking Mercedes Team Members
Hamilton’s race engineer, Peter Bonnington, was taken aback by the news, responding with disbelief upon hearing of Hamilton’s departure.
Activation of Release Clause
Hamilton had recently signed a two-year extension with Mercedes but is exercising a release clause that allows him to leave after one year.
Mercedes’ Response and Future Plans
Wolff stated that Mercedes will take its time in choosing a new driver to partner with George Russell for the upcoming season. He likened the situation to the sudden departure of Nico Rosberg in 2016.
Integrity of Car Development
Despite Hamilton’s move to a rival team, Wolff has no concerns about involving him in Mercedes’ car development and believes in Hamilton’s integrity.
A Longstanding Relationship
Hamilton’s association with Mercedes dates back to his early career with McLaren, where Mercedes was the engine supplier. The team has also supported Hamilton’s efforts to improve diversity in F1.
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