LEWIS HAMILTON OPENS UP ON SHOCK MOVE FROM MERCEDES TO FERRARI – ‘HARDEST DECISION I’VE EVER HAD TO MAKE’
Lewis Hamilton has characterized his move to Ferrari as the “hardest decision I’ve ever had to make” as he prepares for his final season at Mercedes.
The seven-time world champion announced this month that he will join the Italian constructor on a multi-year contract beginning next season.
Hamilton’s departure will bring an end to his long-standing connection with Mercedes, where he won six world championships and signed a contract extension just last summer.
The seven-time world champion announced this month that he will join the Italian constructor on a multi-year contract beginning next season.
Hamilton’s departure will bring an end to his long-standing connection with Mercedes, where he won six world championships and signed a contract extension just last summer.
However, speaking ahead of the 2024 season, which begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 2, the Brit made it plain that the decision was not easy for him.
“Obviously in the summer we signed and at that time I saw my future with Mercedes,” Hamilton stated.
“But an opportunity arose in the New Year, and I decided to seize it.” I believe it was the most difficult decision I have ever had to make.
“Obviously in the summer we signed and at that time I saw my future with Mercedes,” Hamilton stated.
“But an opportunity arose in the New Year, and I decided to seize it.” I believe it was the most difficult decision I have ever had to make.
“I have had a relationship with Mercedes since I was 13. They have supported me, and we have had an incredible journey together, created history within the sport and it is something I take a lot of pride in.
“But ultimately I am writing my story, and I felt like it was time to start a new chapter.”
Hamilton celebrated his 39th birthday last month and will be in his 40s by the time he drives his first race with Ferrari.
His last world title came in 2020, his sixth in seven years, but since then he has finished second, sixth and third in the Drivers’ Championship standings after Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s period of dominance.
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Hamilton’s seven titles put him level with Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher as the most decorated driver of all time and he admitted that emulating the German in the red of Ferrari was a draw for him.
“I think for every driver growing up, watching history, watching Michael Schumacher in his prime, I think all of us sit in our garages, and you see the screen pop up, you see a driver in the red cockpit, and you wonder what it will be like to be surrounded by the red,” Hamilton said.
“You go to the Italian Grand Prix in Monza and you see the sea of red of Ferrari fans and you can only stand in awe of that. It is a team that has not had huge success since Michael’s days, and I see it as a huge challenge.
“As a kid I used to play the Grand Prix 2 computer game as Michael in that [Ferrari] car. It is definitely a dream, and I am really excited about it.”
Ferrari is the oldest and most successful Formula 1 team but has not had a world champion since Kimi Raikkonen’s 2007 triumph.
Last season, Ferrari finished third in the Constructors’ Championship behind Red Bull and Mercedes, with Charles Leclerc fifth and Carlos Sainz seventh in the Drivers’ Championship.
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