Why did Mercedes get rid of Hamilton?
Sources say Hamilton wanted three years, Mercedes wanted to offer him just one year. A compromise was a one-year deal with an option to extend. So when Ferrari came calling with a multi-year contract with more commitment than Mercedes delivered, that was very attractive. In a wide-ranging discussion with Sean Gregory, Hamilton opens up on his decision to leave Mercedes, his interests away from the sport, and his F1 legacy. Regarding his decision to leave Mercedes, Hamilton told Gregory that it was a matter of not sitting still, and tackling another series of “firsts” in his career.Hamilton reportedly left Mercedes for Ferrari because the latter offered him a longer contract and more money. Furthermore, he had been in a losing slump—with no wins in 2022 or 2023—and hoped to revive his career on the new team.Hamilton said it was the challenge of helping get Mercedes to the top that motivated him to leave McLaren where he just hadn’t felt sufficiently challenged to get the best out of him. I think it was just really that I wanted a challenge at the time and I love taking risks, I always have, he explained.Hamilton signed with Ferrari in January 2024, just over six months after sealing a new contract with Mercedes. It was the talks over that new Mercedes deal that led to the Ferrari move. Mercedes wanted to offer Hamilton only a one-year contract – team boss Toto Wolff was planning for the future.
Does Hamilton love Mercedes?
Hamilton admits he toiled over his decision to leave the team, but ultimately found peace in the belief that his connection with the team will outlast his on-track career. It’s what I’ve always said about Mercedes: it really, really is a family, he said. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed that Lewis Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari in 2025 was “not a surprise” but suggested the timing was. It was announced on Thursday that the seven-time World Champion will join Ferrari at the end of the current season on a multi-year deal.Hamilton signed with Ferrari in January 2024, just over six months after sealing a new contract with Mercedes. It was the talks over that new Mercedes deal that led to the Ferrari move. Mercedes wanted to offer Hamilton only a one-year contract – team boss Toto Wolff was planning for the future.Analysis: Lewis Hamilton joins Ferrari from Mercedes for F1 2025. The British driver’s decision to leave Mercedes came less than six months after he signed a two-year contract extension with the team, having activated a break clause to force his move to Ferrari for F1 2025.Lewis Hamilton after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix completes his 246th and last ever race for Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team. After over a decade, the seven-time world champion will leave the Silver Arrows to don the Ferrari red in the 2025 season.
Why is Hamilton moving to Ferrari?
Ferrari gave him a huge salary and a contract that lasts until 2027, and the Ambassador role. It has nothing to do with the teams car performance, they just didn’t want to keep him beyond 2025. So that’s why he switched up. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (No. At 18 years old, the Italian becomes the youngest driver on the grid and makes his F1 debut with Mercedes.Andrea Kimi Antonelli is a name you will be hearing a lot more after Mercedes made the bold decision to sign him as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement for 2025. As Hamilton joins Ferrari next year, Italian teenager Antonelli will make his F1 debut with one of the sport’s biggest teams as team-mate to George Russell.Hamilton had signed a new deal with his current team in the summer of 2023, which would keep him at the squad through to the end of 2025. However, activating a release option in his contract allowed Hamilton to put pen to paper with Ferrari, who he will join next season after his final campaign with Mercedes in 2024.F1 2025 line-up Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is the biggest F1 transfer of all time as he takes over from Carlos Sainz, who has joined Williams. Teenager Kimi Antonelli has replaced Hamilton at Mercedes and Liam Lawson was confirmed as Verstappen’s new team-mate after Sergio Perez lost his seat.
Has Lewis Hamilton retired from Mercedes?
Hamilton has had a challenging start to life at Ferrari since his high-profile move from Mercedes over the winter, finishing no higher than fifth across the first five races of the new season. Lewis Hamilton holds the record for the most race wins in Formula One history, with 105 wins to date. Michael Schumacher, the previous record holder, is second with 91 wins, and Max Verstappen is third with 65 victories. Hamilton also holds the distinction of having the longest time between his first win and his last.Scuderia Ferrari have won the most Formula One Grands Prix. Ferrari hold the record for the most Grand Prix victories, having won 248 times. McLaren are second with 196 wins, and Mercedes are third with 130 wins.Lewis Hamilton holds the record for the most race wins in Formula One history, with 105 wins to date. Michael Schumacher, the previous record holder, is second with 91 wins, and Max Verstappen is third with 65 victories. Hamilton also holds the distinction of having the longest time between his first win and his last.Most Drivers’ World Championships Lewis Hamilton remains atop the record table alongside Michael Schumacher with seven titles apiece.
Will Lewis Hamilton stay at Ferrari?
Lewis Hamilton is tied into his Ferrari contract until the end of the 2026 F1 season, but Bernie Ecclestone does not think the partnership will last that long. Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone does not believe Lewis Hamilton will see out the entirety of his contract with Ferrari, which runs to the end of 2026. The top five richest Formula 1 drivers in 2025 are Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Carlos Sainz. Hamilton leads with $434 million, followed by Alonso’s $240 million.Formula 1 was also home to one of the highest paid athletes in the world, former driver Michael Schumacher, who was a dominant force in the sport for years. Schumacher is also the highest-earning Formula 1 driver of all time.Now 40 years old, Hamilton has an F1-record 105 career wins and 202 career podiums. Behind Verstappen and Hamilton, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ($34 million), Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso ($20 million) and McLaren’s Lando Norris ($20 million) are the only other drivers who will make $20 million or more in 2025.Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 5, Miami Grand Prix,… Lewis Hamilton is set to earn a whopping $100 million per year as part of his new Ferrari F1 deal from 2025. According to Formu1a. Hamilton’s overall earnings – taking into account his base salary, sponsors, image rights and bonuses.
Who is replacing Hamilton?
Andrea Kimi Antonelli: Italian teenager replaces Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for 2025 season – BBC Sport. When will Hamilton drive for Ferrari? The legendary British driver will race with Ferrari for the first time in 2025, donning its iconic scarlet colours throughout the season.