Lewis Hamilton’s 2012 McLaren Exit Resurfaces Amid Ferrari Move for 2025
The departure of Lewis Hamilton from McLaren in 2012 is once again making headlines as new details emerge about the behind-the-scenes events leading up to his surprising switch to Mercedes. The revelations come as Hamilton, now a seven-time world champion, prepares for another career-defining move to Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season in a bid to claim an elusive eighth title before retiring.
Hamilton, who raced for McLaren between 2007 and 2012, won his first world championship with the team in 2008, cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s brightest stars. During his time with McLaren, he competed alongside drivers like Jenson Button and developed into a fierce competitor. However, his decision to leave McLaren at the end of the 2012 season shocked the F1 world. At the time, Mercedes was not yet considered a dominant force in the sport, and his move was seen as a gamble.
Now, author Matt Whyman, who spent 18 months embedded with the Mercedes team while writing Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane, has shed light on Hamilton’s departure from McLaren. Speaking on The Fast and the Curious podcast, Whyman revealed that Hamilton opted to inform McLaren of his decision to leave via email rather than face-to-face discussions.
“When he left McLaren as a much younger driver, he bottled doing it face to face,” Whyman shared. “He was overseas somewhere and just did it by email, and he felt bad about it. But you know, we can all kind of relate to that. You’ve got a difficult thing to do, and you just think, ‘I’ll send an email or just leave it there. Please, let it go to voicemail.’”
At the time, McLaren was under the leadership of Ron Dennis, a formidable figure in the paddock known for his demanding nature. Although Dennis had stepped down as team principal, his influence over the team remained strong, making Hamilton’s decision to part ways particularly challenging.
Hamilton’s move to Mercedes, led by then-team principal Ross Brawn, ultimately proved to be a masterstroke. Over 12 seasons with the Brackley-based outfit, Hamilton claimed six of his seven world titles and achieved an incredible 84 race wins. His partnership with Mercedes propelled him to legendary status, transforming both his career and the team’s fortunes.
Now, as Hamilton prepares to begin a new chapter with Ferrari, the legendary driver is reportedly aiming to deliver the Scuderia its first drivers’ championship since 2007. The move marks Hamilton’s third team in an illustrious career and is widely seen as a last-ditch attempt to secure a record-breaking eighth championship before retiring from the sport.
Hamilton’s journey from McLaren to Mercedes and now to Ferrari underscores the complexity of career-defining decisions in Formula 1. As fans eagerly await the 2025 season, the resurfaced details of his 2012 McLaren exit serve as a reminder of the personal challenges drivers face behind the scenes in pursuit of greatness.
