'Hardest Decision Of My Career': Hamilton Addresses Mercedes Departure

Saturday, 24 February 2024 at 00:45

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Lewis Hamilton spoke about his decision to leave Mercedes during a press conference at pre-season testing in Bahrain.

The seven-time World Champion made a decision that caught almost everyone off guard just a few weeks ahead of the pre-season testing at Bahrain International Circuit.

As we now know, Hamilton signed a multi-year deal with Ferrari, which means he should be driving for the team at least until the end of the 2026 season.

On the other hand, he also signed a "multi-year" deal with Mercedes last summer, and it turns out the 39-year-old had a clause in his contract that allows him to leave the German team until the end of the 2024 season.

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Nevertheless, it is clear that we will see the seven-time World Champion in the red car driving alongside Charles Leclerc at least in 2025. When asked about the move during a press conference, in Bahrain, the Briton said:

"Leaving Mercedes was the hardest decision of my career. But I am writing my own story."

Hamilton himself didn't speak too much about the matter until now. Maybe it's because he still has one entire season with Mercedes ahead of him.

Max Verstappen suggested the 2024 season might get a bit "awkward" for the 39-year-old and his team, as Mercedes will have to start leaving him out from some crucial conversations at one point.

Mercedes's 2025 and 2026 cars will be discussed inside the team already during this season, and it will be in the team's interest to prevent Hamilton from carrying this crucial information over to Ferrari.

The seven-time World Champion doesn't seem to be focusing on that now. He asserted he feels more motivated and focused than ever before and that achieving the title with Mercedes in 2024 would be a dream for him.

Will he be able to do it? First signs from the pre-season testing in Bahrain suggest Mercedes made a significant step forward, but so did Red Bull and all other teams. The first accurate comparison will come next Friday during qualification for the season's first race - the Bahrain Grand Prix.