Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari ‘very sad’ as Mercedes legend break silence over stolen…read more
Former Mercedes motorsport chief Norbert Haug has expressed deep regret over Lewis Hamilton’s upcoming move to Ferrari, calling it “very sad” ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Haug, who had a significant role at Mercedes during Hamilton’s successful tenure, also stated that both the driver and the team endured a massive setback following the controversial 2021 World Championship, which he described as having been “stolen” from Hamilton during the dramatic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari will mark a significant new chapter in his illustrious F1 career. The British driver is set to join the Scuderia for the 2025 season on a multi-year contract. This marks only the second team change in Hamilton’s entire F1 journey. The first came in 2013 when he left McLaren for Mercedes, a move that propelled him to unparalleled success with the Silver Arrows.
Over the course of 12 seasons with Mercedes, Hamilton established himself as one of the greatest drivers in F1 history. He matched Michael Schumacher’s record of seven World Championships in 2020 and then went on to become the first driver in F1 history to achieve 100 Grand Prix wins and pole positions the following year. His extraordinary achievements solidified his place as the most decorated driver in the sport’s history. However, Haug believes Hamilton’s success was ultimately overshadowed by the controversial conclusion of the 2021 season.
The 2021 World Championship saw a dramatic and contentious ending at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Hamilton appeared set to clinch his eighth title, but a series of decisions by race officials during the final laps of the race led to Max Verstappen overtaking Hamilton to claim the championship. Haug has maintained that the title was “stolen” from Hamilton, suggesting that both the driver and the Mercedes team suffered a massive blow from the events that transpired that day. According to Haug, the aftermath of that loss dealt a severe blow to Hamilton’s career trajectory, despite his success in the years leading up to that moment.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari represents a major shift in his career, as he will race with a non-Mercedes engine for the first time in his F1 journey. All of Hamilton’s previous 356 F1 starts have been powered by Mercedes engines, dating back to his debut season in 2007 with McLaren. With his switch to Ferrari, Hamilton faces a new challenge as he adapts to different machinery and a fresh team environment.
For many, Hamilton’s transition from Mercedes to Ferrari marks a bittersweet moment in F1 history, given the success and dominance he enjoyed with Mercedes. Haug’s comments highlight the mixed emotions surrounding Hamilton’s move and reflect the sentiment that the driver and team were hard-hit by the controversial 2021 season finale.
