Lewis Hamilton confesses Mercedes exit ‘more painful’ than leaving McLaren in 2013
After a 12-year-long journey with Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton admitted that the breakup hurt more than the one with McLaren.
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Lewis Hamilton (via Formula 1)
The names Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have been synonymous over the past decade. However, as their inevitable farewell drew closer (2024 Abu Dhabi GP), the emotions began to take over. While this was not the first time Hamilton had left a team to join another, he asserted how this breakup was more painful than the one he endured at McLaren.
Lewis Hamilton was the Woking-based McLaren‘s prodigy. The outfit was the first team to give the Briton his big breakthrough in F1. In his debut year, he was fighting for the world championship and barely missed out on it. Despite this, he had a better venture the next year and thus, he won his maiden championship in 2008.
On the contrary, towards the latter end of his career with McLaren, things turned sour. He fought in unreliable machinery since 2009 and decided to make the bold move to switch to Mercedes, a mid-field team in 2013.
His big gamble with Mercedes paid off and he won six championships with them. This made his recent departure from Brackley even more painful as the Briton elaborated.
It definitely wasn’t as painful and difficult as this year has been in terms of the emotions. This one’s much more emotional because I’ve been with the team so long, and we’ve been through so much together.
Lewis Hamilton said (via GPBlog)
Now, he is headed to join Ferrari and is on a multi-year contract with the team. He is understood to be in the twilight phase of his career and driving for the Scuderia would mean that another dream of his would be ticked off. Despite this, he could be seen fighting for the eighth world championship in 2025 which has eluded him for so long.
Toto Wolff shares an emotional message amidst Lewis Hamilton’s departure
Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes was not an easy one for the team. With 2025 dawning upon the Briton, everyone at Brackley wished Hamilton a final goodbye. This included team principal Toto Wolff, who had a close relationship with the seven-time champion.
The Austrian gave a heartwarming speech while biding adieu to Hamilton and asserted that he was proud of the work they had done together over the years.
The name Lewis Hamilton will stand for a long time as the greatest, and I will be telling my grandchildren to be proud because I was part of Lewis Hamilton’s journey. And that is something we can all be very proud of, for however many years you’ve been here, whether it was one month or 12 years, like I have been.
Toto Wolff said via Mercedes F1
On the other hand, Hamilton will be seen repping the red outfit during the F1 75 launch event in London. The 39-year-old will be the center of attraction of the grand event that is planned to take place in February.
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