Helmut Marko claims Lewis Hamilton ditched Mercedes because it’s ‘weakening’

Lewis Hamilton has been making his trade with the Mercedes F1 team since 2013.

Helmut Marko claims Lewis Hamilton ditched Mercedes because it’s ‘weakening’

Helmut Marko and Lewis Hamilton (Via: Imago)

Lewis Hamilton, the former seven-time world champion, brought a tsunami of sorts in the F1 paddock by signing a contract with Ferrari from 2025 onwards. Several people are still reeling from its effects and while a lot has been said about it, the Red Bull team adviser, Helmut Marko, has also taken the time to dwell on it.

Helmut Marko believes that Lewis Hamilton decided to end his partnership with Mercedes because it has been weakening, especially under the current set of regulations. The Brackley-based team has not been able to challenge for the world championship since the end of the 2021 F1 season.

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Marko while talking about Hamilton’s unprecedented move in an interview with OE24, recently said, as reported by Soymotor:

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I was completely surprised, a sporty feeling, especially the timing. One wonders how this happened. Mercedes was overtaken by Ferrari in the second half of 2023 and McLaren was also faster. Maybe Hamilton noticed something that the outside world doesn't know yet. It doesn't change anything for us, except that I see it as a weakening of Mercedes.

Marko with his comments, has made it known that maybe Hamilton’s departure was related to the lack of progress at Mercedes in the last two years. Moreover, he has also indicated that the Toto Wolff-led team will be immensely weakened from 2025 onwards.

Lewis Hamilton will give his absolute best in 2024

While Lewis Hamilton will not be seen repping the black outfit of the Mercedes from next year onward, he is going to give his all during the upcoming 2024 F1 season. He has been with the team since 2013 and thus, would want to end the partnership on a positive note.

Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton (Via: Imago)

The Mercedes F1 team recently launched its W15 where Toto Wolff, Lewis Hamilton, and George Russell, were all present. Hamilton said a lot of positive things about the team and indicated how much it means to him to be a part of the German team for such a long time.

Moreover, he also admitted that leaving Mercedes for Ferrari from 2025 onward was one of the toughest decisions he’s ever had to make. Lewis Hamilton is the biggest name on the current F1 grid, considering this, several people are going to have their eyes glued on his exploits in 2024 as he takes a Mercedes car for a spin for the last time during the record-breaking 24-race calendar.

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