Hamilton throws F1 into chaos with historic Ferrari decision…read more
On February 1, 2024, Formula 1 was thrown into chaos when it was revealed that Lewis Hamilton would be leaving Mercedes and joining Ferrari, one of the biggest surprises in the sport’s history.
The day had begun like any other in F1, with little sign that a monumental shift was on the horizon. The previous evening had seen news regarding the rejection of Michael Andretti’s bid to join F1 as the 11th team, despite FIA approval. However, this story quickly took a backseat when rumors emerged that Hamilton was set to end his long-standing partnership with Mercedes and move to Ferrari.
These whispers were initially dismissed as mere speculation, given the remarkable success Hamilton had enjoyed at Mercedes, where he had won multiple championships. Yet, early on Thursday morning, multiple Italian media outlets reported that the move was confirmed. Mercedes initially declined to comment when approached by RacingNews365, fueling suspicions that something major was unfolding behind the scenes.
By midday, the story had gained significant traction, with all major media outlets covering the development. The chatter, once dismissed as a typical off-season rumor, had now become the center of attention. Fans and analysts began speculating on the reasons behind the shock move, pointing to Hamilton’s tough seasons in 2022 and 2023 as possible contributing factors.
Further reports indicated that Loic Serra’s departure from Mercedes to Ferrari had played a key role in Hamilton’s decision. The situation became more concrete when news broke that Mercedes staff were to be briefed on the matter by Hamilton and team principal Toto Wolff at the team’s Brackley factory. TV footage captured the staff arriving for the meeting, confirming that the move was indeed happening.
Later that afternoon, Mercedes confirmed that Hamilton would leave the team at the end of the 2024 season, with Ferrari swiftly issuing a statement at 19:04 GMT announcing the driver’s signing. The press release from Ferrari, while brief, marked the beginning of a new era for both the driver and the team.
This decision stunned the F1 world, as it seemed almost unthinkable that Hamilton, who had achieved unprecedented success with Mercedes, would ever leave the team. With the official announcement now behind them, the focus shifted to Hamilton’s future with Ferrari, where the goal would be to make this unexpected partnership successful in the seasons to come.
As Hamilton embarked on his first laps with Ferrari at Fiorano, it was clear that a new chapter had begun, one that would undoubtedly shape the
future of F1.
