Lewis Hamilton, the British driver for Mercedes AMG F1 W14, and Max Verstappen from Red Bull Racing RB19, are seen competing in the Formula 1 World Championship, specifically during the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, Spain on June 4, 2023.
Verstappen has made a prediction about his Formula 1 rival, Hamilton, stating that the latter will face an uncomfortable situation in 2024 while still with Mercedes, as he prepares for his eventual move to Ferrari.
The upcoming driver market for the next season has already been disrupted with the news that Hamilton will be joining Ferrari in 2025. This revelation is significant considering Hamilton’s long-standing association with Mercedes throughout his entire Formula 1 career. Since 2013, he has been driving for the German team and has achieved remarkable success, winning six titles and securing 82 race victories.
Despite not winning any races in the past two seasons, Hamilton has decided to activate a break clause in his contract to facilitate his move to Ferrari in the upcoming season. However, Verstappen believes that the news of the negotiations between Hamilton and Ferrari was leaked prematurely, forcing both parties to make an early announcement about the driver’s future destination.
During Red Bull’s unveiling of their 2024 car, Verstappen expressed his thoughts on the situation, stating, “It seemed like the news was leaked, and then they had to announce it. Announcing something of this magnitude so early in the season is definitely a bit awkward for the rest of the year.” He also added that despite the success they have had together as a team, Hamilton will no longer be involved in all aspects of the team’s operations. Nevertheless, Verstappen believes that Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is not surprising.
As per the usual practice when a driver is set to depart from a team, Hamilton will gradually be excluded from meetings regarding car development for Mercedes’ 2025 car. However, Verstappen is confident that Hamilton will still receive full support from Mercedes, as they aim to end their successful partnership on a positive note.
Verstappen stated, “He has a great relationship with everyone, especially with Toto Wolff, the Mercedes Team Principal. But at some point, Toto will have to tell him, ‘I’m sorry, we’ve had a lot of success together, but you can’t be part of certain meetings anymore.’” Verstappen acknowledges that this is a normal occurrence in Formula 1 and believes that Hamilton is professional enough to handle the situation.
Ultimately, Verstappen emphasizes that despite the changes, Hamilton and Mercedes are not suddenly enemies. The team still stands behind Hamilton due to the numerous achievements they have accomplished together. When Hamilton is behind the wheel, Mercedes will continue to give their utmost effort to help him win races.
According to the Source motorsportweek.com
