Lewis Hamilton described his participation in Mercedes’ final Formula One car launch of his career as “emotional” and “surreal” on Wednesday.
The seven-time Formula One world champion is set to depart Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season for Ferrari, marking a significant shift in his career trajectory.
Although the 39-year-old had initially inked a new two-year deal with Mercedes valued at £100 million ($126 million) in August, he recently triggered a break clause to secure his move to the Italian team. Hamilton cited the allure of “driving in Ferrari red” as a compelling factor in his decision.
Reflecting on the transition at the Mercedes launch, Hamilton expressed his emotions, stating, “The last few weeks have obviously been emotional and it is very surreal to be here.”
He emphasized the team’s focus on regaining their competitive edge, particularly after experiencing challenging seasons. Hamilton’s long association with Mercedes, which began in 2013 after his tenure with McLaren, has been marked by numerous successes, including six world championships.
Hamilton’s illustrious career with Mercedes has seen him face stiff competition from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, particularly after narrowly missing out on an eighth world championship in 2021. The launch event at Mercedes’ Northamptonshire base marked Hamilton’s final engagement with the team. With his departure imminent, Hamilton kept his remarks brief, acknowledging his 12-year journey with Mercedes and expressing gratitude for the collaborative effort in developing the team’s cars.
Hamilton, along with teammate George Russell, is set to test the new Mercedes car at Silverstone amid rainy conditions. The team aims to address their performance deficit from the previous season, where they ended winless and significantly behind Red Bull.
Mercedes’ team principal, Toto Wolff, highlighted the significance of the car’s redesign and the team’s determination to close the gap on their rivals. Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Wolff expressed confidence in the team’s capabilities, emphasizing a collective effort to return to the forefront of Formula One.
As preparations intensify for the upcoming season, Mercedes aims to kickstart their campaign with improved performance, with the opening Grand Prix scheduled for Bahrain on March 2nd.
Reported By AFP.
