Lewis Hamilton, the British driver from Mercedes AMG F1, stated that his future move to Ferrari in 2025 does not require justification, despite the different fortunes of the two teams. Ferrari announced earlier this year that they had signed Hamilton, who activated an exit clause in his current contract with Mercedes. While Ferrari had a strong start to the season, consistently challenging Red Bull with podium finishes in all four races, Mercedes has struggled with their new car concept, earning their lowest points total at this stage of the season since 2011. When asked if the teams’ competitiveness levels validated his decision to switch, Hamilton replied that he did not need validation from others and remained confident in his choice. He acknowledged that there will always be critics, but he is focused on what he believes is right for him.
During his dominant years with Mercedes, Hamilton had expressed that he did not plan to continue racing until he was 40, like Kimi Raikkonen. However, as he approaches his 40th birthday, he realized that life is unpredictable and he still feels young and passionate about racing. He admitted that he never expected to be competing at 40 years old, but now intends to continue his career for some more time. Hamilton expressed gratitude for the presence of other experienced drivers like Raikkonen and hopes they continue to compete alongside him.
Despite signing a long-term contract with Ferrari, Hamilton will not become the oldest driver on the grid, as Fernando Alonso has decided to extend his contract with Aston Martin. Alonso, who is 43 years old, will remain with the team as they prepare for the upcoming regulatory changes in the sport.
