Hamilton to fulfil childhood dream with Ferrari move
LEWIS HAMILTON says he will fulfil a ‘childhood dream’ by racing for Ferrari in 2025 but is determined to finish his time at Mercedes on a high.
The seven-time Formula One world champion sent shock waves through the sport on Thursday when it was announced that he would join Ferrari next year.
Hamilton had signed a new twoyear deal with Mercedes worth £100million in August but the 39year-old has activated a break clause in that deal after conceding the prospect of ‘driving in
Ferrari red’ was too hard to turn down.
‘It’s been a crazy few days which have been filled with a whole range of emotions,’ Hamilton said in a statement posted on his social media channels.
‘But as you all now know, after an incredible 11 years at MercedesAMG PETRONAS F1 Team, the time has come for me to start a new chapter in my life and I will be joining Scuderia Ferrari in 2025.
‘I feel incredibly fortunate, after achieving things with Mercedes that I could only have dreamed of as a kid, that I now have the chance to fulfil another childhood dream. Driving in Ferrari red.
‘Mercedes has been a huge part of my life since I was 13 years old, so this decision has been the hardest I’ve ever had to make.’
Hamilton won six of his world titles during a seven-year period between 2014 and 2020, but has struggled to match Red Bull rival Max Verstappen since he missed out on what would have been a record world championship in 2021 in controversial fashion.
The British driver is determined to sign off in style at Mercedes and their team principal Toto Wolff stated on Friday he had no concerns over Hamilton’s integrity.
Hamilton continued: ‘I’m incredibly proud of all that we’ve achieved together.
‘Right now, I’m not thinking about 2025. My focus is on the upcoming season and getting back out on track with Mercedes.
‘I am more driven than ever, I am fitter and more focused than ever and I want to help Mercedes win once again.
‘I am 100 per cent committed to the job I need to do and determined to end my partnership with the team on a high.’