Lewis Hamilton has acknowledged the peculiar atmosphere emerging within Mercedes as he prepares to part ways with the team. In a surprising turn of events, Hamilton announced in February that he would be departing from Mercedes at the conclusion of the 2024 season to join Ferrari.
The seven-time world champion, who has clinched a remarkable 82 victories out of his 103 races and secured six of his seven titles during his tenure with Mercedes since 2013, has opted to pursue what he describes as a “childhood dream” by signing with the renowned Italian team.
As the conclusion of the Hamilton-Mercedes era draws near throughout the 2024 season, Hamilton will gradually be phased out of team meetings and restricted from accessing comprehensive information regarding upgrades and developments, preventing him from transferring it to his new team in Maranello.
Hamilton’s journey with Mercedes commenced during his teenage years, and as he prepares to embark on a new chapter with Ferrari at the age of 40, he emphasizes that his decision to leave is not rooted in dissatisfaction or interpersonal issues.
Expressing his sentiments to CBS’s Gayle King, Hamilton stated, “For me, this whole journey has been massively emotional, just because I have so much love for this team.
“I’m not leaving because I’m unhappy there. I’m not leaving because of relationship issues. They’ve been with me through thick and thin, it’s definitely a strange transition at the moment.”
Despite his remarkable track record, Hamilton has not tasted victory since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, enduring a winless streak spanning 51 races encompassing both the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Meanwhile, his rival Max Verstappen has clinched three world championships and secured 39 victories during this period, with Hamilton managing only six podium finishes in the Verstappen-dominated 2023 season.
Acknowledging the shift in his competitive standing, Hamilton conceded that his perspective has evolved. However, he remains resolute in his determination to contribute to Mercedes’ quest for improvement.
“We exist to win, and when you’re not winning, your perspective has to shift,” Hamilton remarked. “It’s just then about chasing and it’s about improvement. It’s about coming together. How can we make improvements?
“How can we get back to where we want to be? And [then] rallying everyone up. I actually really enjoy that experience.”
