Revealed: The ‘innate’ quality Mercedes will miss

Revealed: The ‘innate’ quality Mercedes will miss as Lewis Hamilton… Read More 👇

Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes to Ferrari marks a significant moment in Formula 1 history. As the seven-time World Champion prepares to leave the team that has been his home for over a decade, Mercedes’ Andrew Shovlin reflected on the impact Hamilton has had and what the team will miss in his absence.

Hamilton’s decision to switch teams came before Mercedes’ 2024 car, the W15, hit the track for pre-season testing. This move surprised many, especially since Mercedes has shown a strong resurgence this season. The W15 has brought the team back to the forefront, with Hamilton securing wins at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, breaking a victory drought that lasted since late 2021.

Despite the team’s recent success, Shovlin, Mercedes’ head of trackside engineering, acknowledged that Hamilton’s departure was not solely driven by the car’s performance. While winning championships might have made it harder for Hamilton to leave, Shovlin believes that the motivation behind Hamilton’s decision lies deeper. Hamilton, now in his late 30s, seems eager for a new challenge in his career, something that he could only pursue by switching teams sooner rather than later.

Shovlin explained that while the team has seen an improvement in performance, both Hamilton and George Russell are now more excited and motivated as they realize they have a car capable of winning races and consistently fighting for podiums. This has invigorated the drivers, but it hasn’t drastically changed Hamilton’s demeanor. For Hamilton, the recent win at Silverstone was more of a relief than a confidence boost, allowing him to avoid questioning whether he would win again.

As Hamilton prepares to leave, Shovlin reflected on what the team will miss most about him. Beyond his race pace and speed, Hamilton has been instrumental in providing valuable feedback to the team. His ability to identify weaknesses in the car and his innate feel for what the car and tires need have been crucial in Mercedes’ development process. Shovlin emphasized that Hamilton’s contributions in this regard have been invaluable.

Looking ahead, Shovlin expressed a personal sense of loss as well, noting that Hamilton has been good fun to work with and will be missed as a character within the team. The Hamilton-Mercedes partnership has been the most successful driver-team combination in F1 history, and while the team is happy to see him ending his tenure with more victories, there is an understanding that his departure will leave a significant void.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari represents the beginning of a new chapter in his illustrious career. For Mercedes, the challenge will be to maintain their competitive edge and continue building on the progress made with the W15, even as they bid farewell to one of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history.