Breaking: Mercedes issue Hamilton statement as Ferrari deal SCR..

Mercedes issue Hamilton statement as Ferrari deal scrapped

Mercedes have shared a heartfelt statement reflecting on Lewis Hamilton’s illustrious tenure with the team, paying special tribute to the late Formula 1 legend, Niki Lauda. Hamilton is preparing to join Ferrari for the 2025 season, marking the end of a 12-year partnership with Mercedes that saw unprecedented success, including 14 titles in the drivers’ and constructors’ championships combined.

Hamilton’s journey with Mercedes began in 2013 when he was recruited by a team that was still in its developmental stages as a works outfit. The move, however, would turn into one of the most successful partnerships in Formula 1 history. Central to Hamilton’s recruitment were Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and three-time world champion Niki Lauda, who played an instrumental role in securing Hamilton’s signature after Michael Schumacher announced his second retirement from the sport.

Lauda, who joined Mercedes as a non-executive chairman in 2012, recognized Hamilton’s potential early on and pushed to sign him. Hamilton later acknowledged Lauda’s influence on his decision to leave McLaren, where he had spent six years. Lauda’s belief in Hamilton proved visionary, as the British driver went on to dominate Formula 1, winning six of his seven world championships with Mercedes and securing 84 race victories with the team.

Mercedes’ statement, shared via the social media platform ‘X’, featured a poignant image of Hamilton touching Lauda’s iconic red cap, which has hung in the Mercedes garage since the Austrian legend’s passing. The cap has become a symbol of Lauda’s enduring presence within the team. “From the very start of Lewis’ journey at Mercedes, to the very end, Niki is always with us,” read the accompanying message from the team.

Lauda’s death in 2019, at the age of 70, after a period of declining health, was a deeply emotional moment for Hamilton and the entire Mercedes team. At the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix, just days after Lauda’s passing, Hamilton, alongside other drivers like Sebastian Vettel, wore special helmets to honor Lauda’s legacy. For Hamilton, Lauda’s influence extended beyond his recruitment; he frequently spoke about how Lauda had been a mentor and confidant during difficult times in his career.

Reflecting on Hamilton’s time with Mercedes, the team highlighted the close relationships he built with figures like Toto Wolff and his longtime race engineer Peter Bonnington. These relationships, built on trust and shared ambition, were key to the success Hamilton achieved during his 12 seasons with the team. The bond between Hamilton and Bonnington, in particular, has become one of the most recognizable driver-engineer partnerships in Formula 1, with Bonnington famously encouraging Hamilton to “get in there, Lewis!” after many of his race wins.

As Hamilton prepares to leave for Ferrari, his legacy at Mercedes is already cemented. He departs as one of the most successful drivers in the sport’s history, having played a key role in turning Mercedes into a Formula 1 powerhouse. His partnership with the team brought dominance during the turbo-hybrid era, where Mercedes won seven consecutive drivers’ championships and eight constructors’ titles.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has generated significant attention, and fans are eager to see how the seven-time world champion will perform in red. For Mercedes, the end of this era is bittersweet. The team’s tribute to both Hamilton and Lauda reflects the deep respect and admiration that exists within the Brackley outfit, not just for the success they achieved together, but for the personal connections that were formed along the way.

As the 2025 season approaches, Mercedes fans and the wider Formula 1 community will remember the Hamilton-Lauda era as one of the sport’s most defining periods. While Hamilton’s Ferrari chapter is yet to begin, his impact at Mercedes, intertwined with Lauda’s legacy, will be remembered for years to come.