Mercedes in Shock as Lewis Hamilton Makes....

Mercedes in Shock as Lewis Hamilton Makes….read more

In a major shake-up in the world of Formula 1, Mercedes has been rocked by the unexpected announcement that Lewis Hamilton will be leaving the team to join Ferrari for the 2025 season and beyond. The move comes as a massive surprise, given that Hamilton had only recently signed a contract extension with Mercedes, which was set to keep him with the team at least until the end of the 2025 season. It appears, however, that Hamilton’s deal included exit clauses that allowed him to make the transition.

Hamilton’s career with Mercedes has spanned over 12 seasons, during which he has been the most dominant figure in the sport. With 84 race wins, six World Drivers’ Championships, and eight Constructors’ Titles to his name, he is one of the most successful drivers in F1 history. However, despite his legendary status, the 2024 season was not one of his best. Hamilton struggled throughout the year and ultimately finished in his worst-ever position in the Drivers’ Championship standings, finishing in seventh place. Despite winning races at the British and Belgian Grands Prix, he found himself unable to challenge for the title.

In the wake of the announcement that Hamilton would be leaving Mercedes, an insider from the team revealed the scale of the shock that reverberated through the organization. Matt Whyman, a journalist who spent time with Mercedes while writing his book Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane, shared his thoughts on the aftermath of the announcement. Whyman recalled the immediate reaction within Mercedes, saying, “I was as shocked as everyone in the team. It was the last thing I expected to hear.”

He continued by describing how the team responded to the bombshell news, noting that Mercedes went into a “shutdown” mode for 24 hours after the announcement. The decision to pause operations was reportedly strategic, allowing the team to regroup and plan their next steps, as well as to inform their employees internally before any public communication was made.

According to Whyman, Mercedes’ initial reaction was one of uncertainty. “There was an awful lot of uncertainty about what was going to happen next,” he said. “The team shut down for 24 hours, and I think that was deliberate in terms of their outward communications.” The period of silence allowed the team to process the announcement internally before deciding how to present the news to the rest of the world.

Shortly after the news broke, the team came together for the Silverstone shakedown event. Whyman noted that this was the first opportunity for many of the team members to see Hamilton after the announcement. “It was almost a little bit like the elephant in the room initially,” Whyman explained. The atmosphere was tense as team members arrived before Hamilton and his entourage, which included his mother. However, when Hamilton finally appeared, Whyman said the mood quickly returned to normal. “As soon as Lewis showed up, he was just the same as ever. The attention dissipated really quickly, and it was business as usual.”

For Mercedes, the loss of Hamilton is a significant blow, both in terms of his racing ability and his stature as one of the sport’s greatest figures. The team’s future plans will now need to adapt to life without their most successful driver, and many are eager to see how the team will respond in the coming seasons. The departure of Hamilton to Ferrari also sets the stage for a new era in Formula 1, with the established power dynamics of the sport shifting dramatically.

For Ferrari, the signing of Hamilton represents a bold move that could have major implications for their future prospects. The seven-time world champion brings with him a wealth of experience, skill, and a championship mentality, which could provide a significant boost to Ferrari’s already strong team. If Hamilton is able to continue his legacy of success at Ferrari, the team could once again become a dominant force in Formula 1, after years of near-misses.

While the immediate aftermath of the announcement was filled with uncertainty for both Mercedes and Hamilton, it seems that the transition will be relatively smooth. The events at Silverstone demonstrated that, despite the shock of the move, Hamilton’s professionalism and calm demeanor allowed the team to quickly return to their regular operations. This suggests that the veteran driver is ready for the next chapter of his career at Ferrari, where he will be looking to add more titles to his illustrious legacy.

As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on the impact of Hamilton’s move, and the reshaping of the Formula 1 grid as a result. The shake-up has already begun, and the new season promises to bring fresh challenges and excitement to the sport.