LASTEST: Mercedes weigh up Lewis... “I think if we’d be winning ...

Mercedes weigh up Lewis Hamilton regret: “I think if we’d be winning championships…”

In a significant shake-up in the world of Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton’s move from Mercedes to Ferrari has garnered significant attention.

Mercedes F1 chief Andrew Shovlin has weighed in on the decision, suggesting that Hamilton’s departure was not solely driven by the performance of the cars.

Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, surprised many with his decision in February to switch to Ferrari despite having a contract with Mercedes until the end of 2025. His departure marks the end of a long-standing relationship with the Mercedes family, which began with McLaren at the start of his F1 career.

Mercedes had a challenging start to the current season but showed significant improvement, winning three of the last four races as they approached the Dutch Grand Prix.

This turnaround raised questions about whether Hamilton would have stayed if he had anticipated the team’s resurgence. Shovlin responded to these queries during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, speaking to select media, including Crash.net.

Shovlin reflected, “I think if we’d been winning championships, it would have been difficult for Lewis to say no.” However, he emphasized that Hamilton’s reasons for leaving were more complex than just the car’s performance.

Hamilton’s tenure with Mercedes has been incredibly successful, but at 39, he is seeking a new challenge. Shovlin acknowledged this, saying, “He clearly wants to have another chapter in his career beyond his very successful one with Mercedes.

He’s of an age where if he was going to do that, he would need to do it sooner rather than later.”

Despite Mercedes’ recent successes, Shovlin suggested that once a driver like Hamilton decides to pursue a new path, it becomes challenging to change their mind.

“I think a big part of Lewis is wanting to have another team and another challenge in his career. When someone has decided they want to do that, it can be quite difficult to persuade them otherwise.”

The move comes even though Hamilton has been one of the top performers this season.

Only Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri have outscored him in the last eight races. Hamilton added to his impressive tally of career wins with victories at Silverstone and Spa, bringing his total to 105.

Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes, where he has spent the majority of his illustrious career, marks a significant moment in F1 history.

It remains to be seen how this new chapter with Ferrari will unfold and whether Hamilton will continue to dominate the sport with his new team.

The decision to move to Ferrari reflects Hamilton’s desire for new challenges and experiences.

This transition also underscores the dynamic nature of Formula 1, where drivers continually seek opportunities to test their skills and achieve new milestones.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Hamilton and Ferrari to see how this partnership evolves and whether it can bring the success both parties are hoping for. Meanwhile, Mercedes must adapt to life without their star driver and continue building on their recent performance improvements.