Driving for Ferrari is a Dream Come True for Lewis Hamilton, But His Commitment to Mercedes Is Unwavering For Now
Being a part of Ferrari in the upcoming year is a dream turned reality for Lewis Hamilton, yet the seven-time Formula 1 champion pledges complete allegiance to the Mercedes before shifting gears, he penned on Saturday.
The soon-to-arrive F1 season will mark Hamilton’s final lap with Mercedes before he transitions to Ferrari in 2025 – a move that has sent shockwaves through the racing community.
The iconic racer confessed to going through a whirlwind of emotions during the week.
“I feel extremely blessed to have achieved dreams with Mercedes that I could only fantasize about as a child, and now to get the opportunity to fulfill another childhood dream- driving in red for Ferrari,” shared Hamilton on his Instagram post.
Stating that “the time has come for a change and to embrace a new challenge,” the 39-year-old Hamilton drew parallels with his decision to switch to Mercedes from McLaren a decade ago. Back then, Mercedes grappled with keeping pace with the top F1 teams.
“I still remember the sensation of making a leap of faith into the unknown when I joined Mercedes in 2013,” he added.
In his tenure with Mercedes, Hamilton claimed six Formula 1 championships, the latest one being in 2020.
The accomplished driver has accumulated 103 wins, but none more recent than that in December 2021.
Hamilton delivered a tribute to the Mercedes family including team director Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda who, as the non-executive chairman of Mercedes, was a notable figure before his departure in 2019.
“I am more driven than ever, fitter and more focused than ever,” wrote Hamilton. “My objective is to guide Mercedes to another victory. I am fully committed to the work I need to do, and I am dedicated to rounding off the relationship on a high note.”