Lewis Hamilton has made his first public feedback about his resolution to go away Mercedes on the finish of 2024 after 11 years with the workforce, with a view to head to Maranello and be a part of Ferrari in 2025.
Though Mercedes’ press launch on Thursday contained temporary quotes from him, Hamilton waited till Saturday to make use of his Instagram social media web page to present a extra private tackle the bombshell growth direct to his followers.
He used the chance to elucidate that driving for Ferrari had been a long-held dream, and that when the chance had offered itself he merely hadn’t been in a position to flip it down.
“It’s been a loopy few days which have been full of an entire vary of feelings,” he started.
“However as you all now know, after an unimaginable 11 years at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Group, the time has come for me to begin a brand new chapter in my life and I will probably be becoming a member of Scuderia Ferrari in 2025.
“I really feel extremely lucky, after reaching issues with Mercedes that I may solely have dreamed of as a child, that I now have the prospect to fulfil one other childhood dream. Driving in Ferrari purple.
“Mercedes has been an enormous a part of my life since I used to be 13 years outdated, so this resolution has been the toughest I’ve ever needed to make,” he continued.
“I’m extremely pleased with all that we’ve achieved collectively and I’m very grateful for the exhausting work and dedication of everybody I’ve labored with over time and naturally Toto, for his friendship, steering and management.
“Collectively we have now gained titles, damaged information and change into probably the most profitable driver-team partnership in F1 historical past. And naturally I can’t overlook Niki [Lauda] who was an enormous supporter and who I nonetheless miss on a regular basis.
“I have to additionally share my enormous appreciation to the entire of the Mercedes-Benz board and everybody on the firm in Germany and all over the world for supporting me over these 26 years.
“However the time is correct to make a change and tackle a brand new problem,” he revealed, recalling the same shock produced by his resolution to go away his early F1 house at McLaren to hitch Mercedes in 2013.
“I nonetheless bear in mind the sensation of taking a leap of religion into the unknown once I first joined Mercedes in 2013. I do know some folks didn’t perceive it on the time however I used to be proper to make the transfer then.
“It’s the sensation I’ve once more now,” he rote. “I’m excited to see what I can deliver to this new alternative and what we will do collectively.
“Nonetheless, proper now, I’m not eager about 2025. My focus is on the upcoming season and getting again out on monitor with Mercedes.
“I’m extra pushed than ever, I’m fitter and extra focussed than than ever and I need to assist Mercedes win as soon as once more. I’m 100 per cent dedicated to the job I must do and decided to finish my partnership with the workforce on a excessive.
“Thanks to all of you who’ve been on this journey with me, you have got all lifted me up as I chase my desires and I hope I can proceed to make you proud. As at all times, sending you my love and optimistic power.”
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