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File photo of Lewis Hamilton©AFP
The news that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes to join Ferrari in 2025 took the Formula 1 world by storm. While fans were ecstatic at the prospect of Hamilton teaming up with young sensation Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, many of them were wondering the reason for his sudden departure from Mercedes, a team he joined in 2013. According to a report by RacingNews365Hamilton’s decision may have been affected by another big exit.
The report claims that Hamilton made the decision after Mercedes vehicle performance boss Loic Serra also decided to join Ferrari for the 2025 campaign. Mercedes has struggled to keep up with Red Bull in the recent past and Hamilton won an F1 race for the last time in December 2021.
Last season, Hamilton expressed concerns about the new Mercedes-designed car and the report further claimed that Serra had similar problems to Hamilton. With the duo joining Ferrari in 2025, the aim will be to work towards mounting a strong challenge for reigning champion Max Verstappen.
Hamilton had signed a two-year contract with Mercedes for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, but that deal contained a clause allowing him to leave after one season.
“I’ve spent 11 incredible years with this team and I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together,” Hamilton said.
“Mercedes has been a part of my life since I was 13. It’s a place where I grew up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make.”
Multiple reports say Hamilton’s deal with Ferrari was hastily reached as the team was in talks with Spanish driver Carlos Sainz, who announced he would be leaving the team before the end of the year.
“Ferrari and I will not continue together beyond 2024,” said the 29-year-old from Madrid, adding that he would give everything for Ferrari this season.
(With inputs from AFP)
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