Lewis Hamilton, British driver of Mercedes AMG F1, has rejected rumors that his decision to join Ferrari in 2025 arose from doubts about Mercedes’ ability to win championships in Formula 1. Hamilton, who has been with Mercedes throughout his F1 career, announced earlier this month that he will leave the team to seek a new challenge at Ferrari starting next season. Despite not adding to his record of wins since December 2021, Hamilton expressed his belief in Mercedes’ potential to win another championship, emphasizing the team’s strong leadership and rich racing history. He clarified that his decision to join Ferrari was motivated by the opportunity to help the team end its title drought dating back to 2008. Hamilton sees this as the ultimate challenge in the twilight of his career and intends to compete against Ferrari this year before making the move next year.
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez suggested that the timing of the news could create an uncomfortable situation between Hamilton and Mercedes at certain times during this season. However, Hamilton clarified that the atmosphere within Mercedes remained unchanged since the surprising revelation, stating that he received full support from the team.
When asked about the atmosphere, Hamilton responded by saying, “There’s no real change. I’ve been back to the factory recently, on Monday. We’re full steam ahead. Everyone is fully committed and working together.
“I’ve been with this team for a long time, and there’s a lot of love within the team. I’ve always loved this team, and that will never change. The team has been incredibly understanding and supportive. They know I’m here to deliver for them this year, and that’s our main focus.
“It’s like any other year. There are emotions involved, and each week will bring its own emotional experiences. The last seat fitting is the last one with the team, and that brings back memories of the first one. The winter test is the last one I’ll do with the team. So, there will be many emotional moments throughout the year, but we’ll face them together.”
Mercedes has committed to a complete overhaul of its challenger W15, aiming to recover from a disappointing season last year, which was the team’s first without a win since 2011.
Both drivers have given positive feedback on the extensive changes after the pre-season tests, but Hamilton acknowledges that Mercedes still has work to do to catch up with Red Bull.
“It’s always an exciting time of the year. You see everyone coming together and focused on their jobs. There’s great motivation within the team, and we have a stronger foundation to build on this year,” he said.
“We still have some issues we need to address, and it’s not perfect. However, it’s a better starting point compared to the last two years, so we’re relatively pleased in that sense.
“We’re still not where we want to be, and we’re not competing with the leaders. But we’re working to close that gap.”
© 2024
Sports fans are ecstatic with the latest news about the upcoming football season. The teams are gearing up for an exciting challenge on the field. With so many talented players and innovative strategies, fans can hardly wait to see what will happen.
One of the most promising teams is Internacional Football Club. With a combination of experienced players and young talents, they are ready to dominate the field. The coach, known for his aggressive approach, is confident that his team will deliver an impressive performance this season.
Another team to watch is Nacional Football Club. With a solid defense and a powerful attack, they are ready to face any challenge. Fans are excited about the prospect of seeing their favorite team in action.
In addition, Local Football Club is preparing for an exciting season. With a new tactical formation and talented players, they are ready to surprise their opponents. Fans are eager to see how their team will fare this season.
With so many strong teams competing, this football season promises to be one of the most exciting ever. Fans are eager to see their favorite teams in action and are ready to support them in every match. Get ready for a season full of emotions and surprises on the football field.
