Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes decide against early release to ‘end

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes decide against early release to ‘end …….read more

Lewis Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari will not take place as soon as some had expected, as he and Mercedes have decided against an early release to participate in the post-season tyre test in Abu Dhabi for Scuderia Ferrari. Initially, Ferrari had hoped that the seven-time World Champion would join their team earlier than planned, by taking part in the Abu Dhabi test. However, Hamilton will instead fulfill prior commitments to Mercedes’ title sponsor, Petronas, in Kuala Lumpur.

Sources close to the situation have revealed that Hamilton and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff had discussions about the possibility of altering Hamilton’s schedule, but they ultimately agreed that it was better to honor his existing commitments. The decision was made to ensure that Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes would be handled with care, respecting the years of partnership and giving him a fitting conclusion to his 12-year stint with the team. No formal request for an early exit from his contract was made by Hamilton, and both sides are determined to conclude their relationship in the right way.

Hamilton, at 39 years old, has been a dominant figure in Formula 1 for over a decade, and his upcoming move to Ferrari marks the end of an era with Mercedes. He has been with the German manufacturer since 2013 and has won seven World Championships, making him the most successful driver in F1 history. His switch to Ferrari is one of the most significant driver moves in recent F1 history, and he is set to make his first appearance for the team next year.

In preparation for his new role, Hamilton is expected to begin testing with Ferrari early in 2025. The plan is for him to drive a 2022 Ferrari at the Fiorano track near the team’s Maranello headquarters. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur stated that the team plans to use one or two of the available Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) days for Hamilton’s acclimatization. These TPC days are a part of Formula 1’s testing regulations, which allow teams to run cars from the two previous calendar years under specific conditions. Therefore, Hamilton will likely be behind the wheel of a 2022 Ferrari, the first car designed under the new era of ground-effect regulations.

Despite the lack of recent seat time in Ferrari’s current machinery, Vasseur is confident that Hamilton’s vast experience will allow him to quickly adapt to the car. The veteran driver’s skills are such that he is expected to be competitive from the very first day of testing. Vasseur added that Ferrari’s plan for Hamilton is already being developed, with a focus on ensuring smooth communication and familiarization with the team ahead of the 2025 season. While Hamilton will be part of the team’s long-term plans, he will not be involved in the race team for the immediate future.

With Hamilton’s move to Ferrari confirmed, his seat at Mercedes will be filled by 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli, a promising young talent, will drive alongside George Russell, who is set to continue with Mercedes. This marks a shift in Mercedes’ strategy, as they will now have one of the most experienced drivers in F1 (Russell) paired with a young prospect (Antonelli) as part of their driver lineup for the upcoming seasons.

In other F1 news, Liberty Media, the parent company of Formula 1, has announced that Greg Maffei, the company’s president and CEO, will step down at the end of this year. Maffei, who has been at the helm since 2006, played a key role in the firm’s acquisition of F1 in 2017. His leadership has helped transform the sport, bringing it into a new era of growth and global reach. Maffei will be succeeded by Liberty Media’s chairman and largest voting shareholder, 83-year-old John Malone, who will take over on an interim basis. This transition marks a new chapter for Liberty Media as it continues to oversee F1’s expansion and global appeal.