In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, Lewis Hamilton is set to make one of the most sensational and lucrative team switches in the sport’s history.
The seven-time F1 champion, who has been synonymous with Mercedes for 11 remarkable years, will bid farewell to the team and join Ferrari at the end of the current season.
Hamilton is set to earn over $100,000,000 a year with Ferrari, making him the highest-paid Formula 1 driver. The 9-figure sum puts him above Max Verstappen’s $70 million at Red Bull and Fernando Alonso’s $34 million at Aston Martin.
For Mercedes, Hamilton’s departure is a tremendous loss, for Ferrari, it welcomes the biggest name in F1 to a team already shouldering expectations greater than those of any other on the grid.
Lewis Hamilton x Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton Signs with Ferrari.
Hamilton Utilises Contract Clause
Having clinched six out of his seven drivers’ championships with Mercedes, Hamilton signed a contract extension through 2025 last season.
However, a clause in his contract allowing him to leave at the close of 2024 has been invoked, paying the way for a new chapter in his illustrious career with the legendary Italian racing team based in Maranello.
Reflecting on his decision, Hamilton expressed gratitude for his incredible journey with Mercedes, acknowledging the difficulty in parting ways with the team that has been a significant part of his life since the age of 13. He emphasized the challenge and excitement that comes with taking this bold step into the next phase of his career.
Toto Wolff on the Invevitavle Partnership Ending
Mercedes Team Principal, Toto Wolff, acknowledged the inevitability of the partnership coming to an end, describing Hamilton as an integral part of Mercedes motorsport history. Despite the departure, both parties remain focused on delivering a strong performance for the upcoming 2024 season.
“In terms of a team-driver pairing, our relationship with Lewis has become the most successful the sport has seen, and that’s something we can look back on with pride,” Wolff said.
“We accept Lewis’s decision to seek a fresh challenge, and our opportunities for the future are exciting to contemplate. But for now, we still have one season to go, and we are focused on going racing to deliver a strong 2024.”
Toto Wolff & Lewis Hamilton.
A New Era and a New Partner
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari means he will be joining forces with Charles Leclerc, resulting in Carlos Sainz making way for the British racing sensation. Hamilton’s tenure with Mercedes, starting in 2013, marked a pivotal moment for the team as they aimed to challenge Red Bull’s dominance.
The partnership saw unparalleled success, with Hamilton securing all but one drivers’ championship from 2014 to 2020.
Mercedes also enjoyed a record-setting streak of eight consecutive constructors’ championships from 2014 to 2021, only to be dethroned by Red Bull and Max Verstappen in 2021. Ferrari, on the other hand, has endured a championship drought since their 2008 triumph.
Breaking Ferrari's Winning Drought
As Hamilton embarks on this new venture with Ferrari, he aims to add another chapter to his storied career, levelling with Michael Schumacher’s record of seven drivers’ championships and potentially securing a long-awaited championship for the famed Italian racing team. The motorsport world eagerly anticipates the unfolding drama of the 2024 F1 season with this unexpected twist in the tale.
Carlos Sainz & Lewis Hamilton.