Hamilton McLaren BOMBSHELL emerges as....

Hamilton McLaren BOMBSHELL emerges as….read more.

Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes has marked the end of an era in Formula 1. After 12 seasons with the Silver Arrows, during which he won seven world championships and helped Mercedes secure 14 titles in total, Hamilton is set to embark on a new chapter in his career. His final race with the team was at the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi, where he bid an emotional farewell to Mercedes and the team he had called home for the majority of his career.

Hamilton, now 39, is moving away from Mercedes at a time when the team has struggled to maintain its previous dominance. While the Briton remains focused on securing an elusive eighth world title, the recent struggles of Mercedes, coupled with Hamilton’s less-than-ideal 2024 season, may have influenced his decision to seek a new challenge. Over the past year, Hamilton has faced significant difficulties, frequently being outqualified by his younger teammate, George Russell, and expressing frustration over the performance of his Mercedes machinery.

Despite these challenges, many had speculated about Hamilton’s next move, and while Ferrari has emerged as his next destination, an insider at Mercedes recently revealed that Hamilton’s move could have been quite different. Stephen Lord, who has worked closely with Hamilton as the Race Team Coordinator at Mercedes, shared his thoughts on the Briton’s future during an appearance on the Beyond the Grid podcast.

Lord confessed that he had expected Hamilton to return to McLaren when he eventually left Mercedes. “A few years ago, it came up in conversation,” Lord explained. “I actually thought he’d be tempted back to McLaren, but I was completely wrong.” While Lord was not surprised by Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, he admitted that he had initially believed Hamilton might make a return to the team where he started his F1 journey.

Hamilton’s connection to McLaren runs deep, as the British driver made his F1 debut with the team in 2007. Under the tutelage of McLaren, Hamilton quickly rose to prominence, and in 2008, he secured his first world championship with the Woking-based outfit. It was a momentous victory, as it marked McLaren’s last drivers’ title. Given this history, many have wondered whether Hamilton would return to the team where he had such success, especially considering McLaren’s resurgence in recent seasons.

However, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is not entirely unexpected, given his longstanding admiration for the Scuderia. As Lord pointed out, Hamilton had previously shared his belief that many drivers, at some point in their careers, feel a desire to drive for Ferrari. The Scuderia, with its rich history and iconic status in Formula 1, has always been an alluring destination for many of the sport’s greatest talents, and Hamilton is no exception.

Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari may offer him a fresh challenge in his pursuit of an eighth world title. While Mercedes has struggled to provide him with a competitive car in recent seasons, Ferrari, despite its own recent struggles, has made significant strides and could offer Hamilton the opportunity to return to championship-winning form. The allure of Ferrari’s history, combined with the potential for future success, may have been a decisive factor in Hamilton’s move.

In the broader context of F1, Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes and his switch to Ferrari represents a significant shift in the sport’s landscape. Mercedes, once the dominant force in F1, will now have to adjust to life without one of its greatest drivers, while Hamilton’s move to Ferrari will inject new energy into the Scuderia as they look to return to their former glory.

Ultimately, Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes after 12 seasons is a testament to his drive for continued success and his willingness to embrace new challenges. While his history with McLaren could have made that team a tempting option, his choice of Ferrari indicates that he remains focused on securing that elusive eighth world title, regardless of the team he drives for. As the 2025 season approaches, Hamilton’s new adventure with Ferrari promises to be one of the most intriguing storylines in Formula 1 in the years to come.