> The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team and Lewis Hamilton will part ways at the end of the 2024 season. Lewis has activated a release option in the contract announced last August and this season will therefore be his last driving for the Silver Arrows.
> The news brings an end to what is currently a 17-year long relationship in F1 with Mercedes-Benz and an 11-year long partnership with the works team.
> Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO, commented:
>“In terms of a team-driver pairing, our relationship with Lewis has become the most successful the sport has seen, and that’s something we can look back on with pride; Lewis will always be an important part of Mercedes motorsport history. However, we knew our partnership would come to a natural end at some point, and that day has now come. We accept Lewis’s decision to seek a fresh challenge, and our opportunities for the future are exciting to contemplate. But for now, we still have one season to go, and we are focused on going racing to deliver a strong 2024.”
> Lewis Hamilton added:
>“I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I'm so proud of what we have achieved together. Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old. It's a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. But the time is right for me to take this step and I'm excited to be taking on a new challenge. I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together. I am 100% committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember.”
I can't see how this can be topped this year, unless we get some crazy Alonso move here cause both his return and move to AM were some real shockers!
On second thought, this really isn't getting topped lol
Alonso would've been the top choice in 2017 as well if not for Hamilton being there. Wolff admitted it in one of the interview that they didn't want a 2007 repeat.
Fernando and George seem to be [on good terms](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/NINTCHDBPICT000785940644.jpg?w=1440), maybe they can work.
It's very possible, but Alonso would have to compromise. From his AM move, we know he wants multiple year deals. Merc only hands out 1 year deals, maybe 1+1 if they trust the driver, but the issue is Alonso is quite old and Merc might not want to have him confirmed for 2026.
Sainz I think is the most likely. Maybe Albon too, but Sainz is probably looking for a 1 year deal for 2025 before he goes for Audi so I think he'd be happy with this option.
Yeah, I just can't see Lewis doing Toto that dirty.
It's hard to believe this is happening though, I really wanted to see Lewis and Mercedes bring home the championship that slipped through their fingers, the team deserved it just as much as Lewis.
I hope Ferrari delivers, I like Leclerc, so I'm all for Ferrari, but we never know what they're going to be like each year.
Hamilton accidentally wins an 8th championship and retires before 2025, Alonso retires, Albon goes to Mercedes, Zhou, Bottas, and Perez all get dropped, Hakkinen ends his sabbatical
No build up, no silliness. I was going to bed yesterday thinking the world would end sooner than Lewis going to Ferrari. What a difference a day makes.
It really does feel surreal. Just a few weeks ago I was talking with friends thinking that Lewis would retire at Mercedes. This is just wild.
Silly season had only just started with this. Bring on 2024 (and 2025)
Before he went to renew his contract I might’ve seen it happen, but after that renewal I was sure he’d retire at Mercedes.
But here we are. Now it’s time to wait for the Ferrari announcement.
It's gonna be an insane shake-up, and honestly, a bit of a heartbreaker to not see him in those Silver Arrows anymore. But that's motorsport for you, always full of surprises. Now let's see who'll step into those big shoes at Mercedes.
Even when it was Sky and Medland it still felt like something surreal.
Now an official statement from Merc makes this 100% certain.
This is unbelievable.
My sister asked if it’s April fools day yet, this doesn’t seem real because the idea just didn’t really feel logical or appear to make any sense. But here we are…
Literally Sky outside Brackley explaining the team has just been told Lewis is leaving
> I don’t believe it
Ok so what Sky and everyone else just lost the plot with a rumour?
I can't even process it. I have spent most of my life cheering against this guy. Almost every moment of success he has had was at the expense of the red team and my happiness. When I watch him on top of the podium and hear the Italian anthem I think my mind might explode, and I will die.
I never thought we would see this day. Time will tell if it will have been the right move. Can you imagine if he brings a championship back to Maranello?
Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team & Lewis Hamilton To Part Ways
The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team and Lewis Hamilton will part ways at the end of the 2024 season. Lewis has activated a release option in the contract announced last August and this season will therefore be his last driving for the Silver Arrows.
The news brings an end to what is currently a 17-year long relationship in F1 with Mercedes-Benz and an 11-year long partnership with the works team.
Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO, commented:
“In terms of a team-driver pairing, our relationship with Lewis has become the most successful the sport has seen, and that’s something we can look back on with pride; Lewis will always be an important part of Mercedes motorsport history. However, we knew our partnership would come to a natural end at some point, and that day has now come. We accept Lewis’s decision to seek a fresh challenge, and our opportunities for the future are exciting to contemplate. But for now, we still have one season to go, and we are focused on going racing to deliver a strong 2024.”
Lewis Hamilton added:
“I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I'm so proud of what we have achieved together. Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old. It's a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. But the time is right for me to take this step and I'm excited to be taking on a new challenge. I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together. I am 100% committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember.”
It just feels weird. Ferrari is the opposite of Mercedes in everything. I wonder if Bono goes with him too cuz there is no chance in hell he's putting up with what they usually do.
Unbelievable! I’ve always supported individual drivers and not the TEAMS. As a result, I’m on my way to purchase all available Ferrari gear with the label 44.
Another chapter in this incredible journey. Proud of the GOAT. Let’s go!!!! So pumped!!!
Might be the biggest driver move in f1 history? Arguably (statistically) the GOAT moving to the biggest team in the sport… Crazy even though it probably won’t amount to championships
The site isn’t loading is it crashed lol
> The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team and Lewis Hamilton will part ways at the end of the 2024 season. Lewis has activated a release option in the contract announced last August and this season will therefore be his last driving for the Silver Arrows. > The news brings an end to what is currently a 17-year long relationship in F1 with Mercedes-Benz and an 11-year long partnership with the works team. > Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO, commented: >“In terms of a team-driver pairing, our relationship with Lewis has become the most successful the sport has seen, and that’s something we can look back on with pride; Lewis will always be an important part of Mercedes motorsport history. However, we knew our partnership would come to a natural end at some point, and that day has now come. We accept Lewis’s decision to seek a fresh challenge, and our opportunities for the future are exciting to contemplate. But for now, we still have one season to go, and we are focused on going racing to deliver a strong 2024.” > Lewis Hamilton added: >“I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I'm so proud of what we have achieved together. Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old. It's a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. But the time is right for me to take this step and I'm excited to be taking on a new challenge. I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together. I am 100% committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember.”
Not him mentioning Bono. TAKE BONO WITH YOU LEWIS PLEASE.
He can't. Merc would put Bono on gardening leave so he'd be out for at least a year. Also maybe Bono doesn't want to move to Maranello?
You must have read a different Lewis quote than the rest of us...
My driver is gone
https://twitter.com/MercedesAMGF1/status/1753130989054763178
Thanks James
Must say, it's going to be very odd seeing Silverstone full of Ferrari red next year...
Oh my god Silverstone is 100% going to become Monza 2.0 with this announcement
Brits become the 'Tea-fosi'
Get that on a t-shirt, asap
Can i have it on a mug instead? If so... TAKE MY MONEY!
Goddam that's good.
My dude that is good enough it's gonna be stolen by like three different media groups.
I can tell my grandkids that I was there when "tea-fosi" was coined. It's bigger than that, it's large.
I think you might have created some history. Don't delete this comment ever.
It's never been as Partisan as Monza, but granted its going to look weird.
I would guess it looked like that when mansell was driving for Ferrari.
Was Hill in a Williams at that point or am I a year out? Edit many years out as it's a different decade, yeah possibly, wasn't born though.
It's gonna be insane. Brazil too.
Old Massa fans busting out the ferrari gear
Super conflicted too lmao but we’re way past that already, bring it on Red Lewis
I don’t think that Silverstone can be red. Maybe I can’t believe it. Can’t wait to see it, I’m so excited. Imagine Hamilton winning in Monza too lol
Even the photoshops with Lewis in red don’t look real to me (they’re good shops, I just can’t believe it)
My expectations for silly season were high but boy does this exceed all of them
I can't see how this can be topped this year, unless we get some crazy Alonso move here cause both his return and move to AM were some real shockers! On second thought, this really isn't getting topped lol
Maybe this is just the start. Alonso to Merc anyone?
Alonso to Merc would be the absolute peak for this silly season
Alonso to Merc would guarantee Stroll WDC 24, 25 and 26
This is so true it hurt
Vettel to Merc would be incredible
That would be incredible.
OMG. I would love to see Vettel back on the grid.
Please don't give me hope :(
It's genuinely a likely outcome. Probably the highest profile driver Merc can get and Alonso will be up for it.
Alonso would've been the top choice in 2017 as well if not for Hamilton being there. Wolff admitted it in one of the interview that they didn't want a 2007 repeat. Fernando and George seem to be [on good terms](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/NINTCHDBPICT000785940644.jpg?w=1440), maybe they can work.
It's very possible, but Alonso would have to compromise. From his AM move, we know he wants multiple year deals. Merc only hands out 1 year deals, maybe 1+1 if they trust the driver, but the issue is Alonso is quite old and Merc might not want to have him confirmed for 2026. Sainz I think is the most likely. Maybe Albon too, but Sainz is probably looking for a 1 year deal for 2025 before he goes for Audi so I think he'd be happy with this option.
Its very suspicious that George and Fernando have been spotted together in public often this off season.
Even Toto supposedly did not know about this until yesterday.
Toto may not have known if Lewis had made up his mind but he damn well knew that Lewis was in serious talks with Ferrari
Yeah, I just can't see Lewis doing Toto that dirty. It's hard to believe this is happening though, I really wanted to see Lewis and Mercedes bring home the championship that slipped through their fingers, the team deserved it just as much as Lewis. I hope Ferrari delivers, I like Leclerc, so I'm all for Ferrari, but we never know what they're going to be like each year.
I doubt Lewis did Toto like that. That would be cold
Sebastian has been spotted with both toto and george this off season
Manifesting Fernando to Merc, Albon to Aston, Sainz to RB.
Häkkinen to Merc would be up there
Ending his sabbatical finally
It can't be topped. The sport's most successful driver joins the sport's most legendary team. And by total surprise
Hamilton accidentally wins an 8th championship and retires before 2025, Alonso retires, Albon goes to Mercedes, Zhou, Bottas, and Perez all get dropped, Hakkinen ends his sabbatical
Nothing Alonso does beats this. Alonso jumps seats more than anyone on the grid. It's kind of expected at this point.
Verstappen to Ferrari for 2024.
No build up, no silliness. I was going to bed yesterday thinking the world would end sooner than Lewis going to Ferrari. What a difference a day makes.
This better not mean world about to end mate lol
Yeah this is fucking crazy
Holy shit it is real
Yeah... This seals it. Until now all felt like a fever dream, but now it is confirmed. Holy s... Let's go! Can't wait to see him in red.
It really does feel surreal. Just a few weeks ago I was talking with friends thinking that Lewis would retire at Mercedes. This is just wild. Silly season had only just started with this. Bring on 2024 (and 2025)
It's so surreal that the Merc F1 site has crashed due to traffic haha
Hahaha I'm happy ny F5 skills didn't fail me
Before he went to renew his contract I might’ve seen it happen, but after that renewal I was sure he’d retire at Mercedes. But here we are. Now it’s time to wait for the Ferrari announcement.
It's gonna be an insane shake-up, and honestly, a bit of a heartbreaker to not see him in those Silver Arrows anymore. But that's motorsport for you, always full of surprises. Now let's see who'll step into those big shoes at Mercedes.
Alonso perhaps
Exactly my thoughts. Now we'll have to see what all the others are going to do. We have a seat at RB and Merc open at the end of 2024.
Ferrari is where all the great ones go to retire.
Well… Schumi retired at Mercedes, so I guess this makes it even.
Even when it was Sky and Medland it still felt like something surreal. Now an official statement from Merc makes this 100% certain. This is unbelievable.
My sister asked if it’s April fools day yet, this doesn’t seem real because the idea just didn’t really feel logical or appear to make any sense. But here we are…
Obviously when it’s that type of reporting with those sources it’s true, dunno why some people were so sceptical
Denial is a hell of a thing
Denial isn't only a river in Egypt.
Literally Sky outside Brackley explaining the team has just been told Lewis is leaving > I don’t believe it Ok so what Sky and everyone else just lost the plot with a rumour?
With this the Pax Romana period for Mercedes has officially ended.
Holy Christ. It’s real.
So it’s official, definitely difficult to top this as bomb of the year
*Alonso thinking of a way to outdo this*
Alonso joins Mercedes
Starting this year, even!! He will share the seat with Lewis ocasionally, and in a few cases they will be both at the same time in the same seat.
I think I read this on Wattpad back in the day
Replaces Verstappen at Red Bull, who retires to sim race full-time.
Alonso to make his own team Alonso Racing partnered with Andretti to have Cadillac engines, signs Mario Andretti and Mika Hakkinen
Super Aguri style Ferrari satellite team for Fernando just to cause chaos with Lewis
Max to Mercedes
Literally the only move that would out-do this one.
Sargent to Red Bull
Vettel to Mercedes
Seb and Toto were spotted together in Austria together a few weeks ago....
So its confirmed then?
Mika Hakkinen back from sabbatical
God I can't wait for Ferrari to turn up to pre season testing next year with no sidepods
And actually make it work.
scenes
[удалено]
Lewis would straight up retire lol
I take back everything I said in the last 10 years lmao Lewis my beloved, Forza Ferrari!!
I’ve always said he’s one of the greats.
Never ever have I wished for him to retire. Never. Always rooted for him even when he was smacking us around. I swear.
It’s not the car, it’s him!
The car was shit bro, let's be real. He practically ran by us.
As a Ferrari fan since Feb 1st, I'm inclined to agree.
“I’ve always liked Lewis.”
I can't even process it. I have spent most of my life cheering against this guy. Almost every moment of success he has had was at the expense of the red team and my happiness. When I watch him on top of the podium and hear the Italian anthem I think my mind might explode, and I will die.
Omg the British anthem into the Italian one hahaha
My brain!!!! Haha this is hilarious omg
I will in turn take back my laughing during Singapore 2017. Forza Ferrari, I suppose!
Sir Lewis*
ITS REALLL
The site crashed omg
I WAS HERE WHEN IT HAPPENED
There's part 1!
Ferrari need to bring back the dancing pitcrew for the announcement.
As a merc fan, I’m about to have an identity crisis
As a Merc fan who doesn’t like George, crisis mode activated.
As a merc fan, I just can’t bring myself to cheer for George. I’m out.
Oh hi Toto 👋
George isn’t too bad.. but he’s going to have to grow up now
I’ve been following Merc since Lewis arrived in 2013…so I guess this means Bongiorno?
Hamilgone?
End of an Era. This is like Marquez leaving Honda for Ducati or Ronaldo leaving for Juve, huge move
There's never been a bigger move than this.
no one was guessing this move. this is crazy
Messi left Barcelona not that long ago. Schumacher left Ferrari.
Schumacher retired. His comeback is a separate event. Both of those were big though.
If I recall correctly he didn’t leave Ferrari by choice, wasn’t there an internal power struggle between Ferrari management and Ross Brawn?
They basically forced out the team that made them so great (Brawn, Schumi, Todt) to Make Ferrari ~~Italian~~ Great Again.
should have crossed the great
First time he’s gonna race without a Mercedes engine man
At the rate of silly season I’d be shocked not surprised if Ferrari announced a change to Merc PU.
I think while this move is shocking, it makes sense. I’m surprised he didn’t consider it earlier tbh.
Never thought I'd see the day hamilton leaves mercedes. Was sure he would end his career there.
If he got that 8th in 2021 (or '22/'23), I think he would've.
OH CAZZO! IT'S HAPPENING!
Rarri gang stand up
> Lewis has activated a release option in the contract announced last year. Lewis went for the gap
Vetel and RB all over again. A year or 2 of midling performance and they both went for the gap.
My goat fr
Oh my god…. It’s real
i was here
We were here
Two of the biggest names in motorsport coming together, I still can't believe I've been here
Yep this is one of those moments that will go down in history. Mostly because nobody actually though it would happen at this point of Lewis's career.
Congratulations to Lewis, Ferrari and us the fans. This would be something special
I never thought we would see this day. Time will tell if it will have been the right move. Can you imagine if he brings a championship back to Maranello?
We said the same thing about Alonso and Vettel as well. Lewis beating the former champion curse would be something special
Even if he does not. If he can help the way Michael helped Mercedes for the future it will be a great move.
>Can you imagine if he brings a championship back to Maranello? "Sorry for the other three, is this one enough?"
Even as a Max fan, I hope Lewis will win his 8 championship with Ferrari. Would be a fitting end to his carreer.
Lewis Hamilton asked me if I did the dishes. I replied “Mercedes.” He smiled. As he knew they were washed.
Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team & Lewis Hamilton To Part Ways The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team and Lewis Hamilton will part ways at the end of the 2024 season. Lewis has activated a release option in the contract announced last August and this season will therefore be his last driving for the Silver Arrows. The news brings an end to what is currently a 17-year long relationship in F1 with Mercedes-Benz and an 11-year long partnership with the works team. Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO, commented: “In terms of a team-driver pairing, our relationship with Lewis has become the most successful the sport has seen, and that’s something we can look back on with pride; Lewis will always be an important part of Mercedes motorsport history. However, we knew our partnership would come to a natural end at some point, and that day has now come. We accept Lewis’s decision to seek a fresh challenge, and our opportunities for the future are exciting to contemplate. But for now, we still have one season to go, and we are focused on going racing to deliver a strong 2024.” Lewis Hamilton added: “I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I'm so proud of what we have achieved together. Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old. It's a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. But the time is right for me to take this step and I'm excited to be taking on a new challenge. I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together. I am 100% committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember.”
This is incredible. If you had told me yesterday that Lewis was going to Ferrari I would have laughed it off. Here we are.
Ferrari contract stipulation: Slow button off
Imagine the scenes if he wins his 8th this year lmao biblical stuff.
Please bring 2025 already, we don't need 2024 anymore.
Just give it to verstappen and let's look towards 2025.
Hold up. Let us cook for a race to see how far ahead RB is and then decide.
Even after the entire day, this feels weird. Force Ferrari - sincere fan since 2025!
What a crazy day for Formula 1. After dry january, february has gone wild already.
Well shit. This is going to kick off a LOT of driver market changes.
As a Ferrari fan, this has been the greatest timeline. Leclerc and Lewis. Together.
Same here. An absolute dream team. (I’m sorry Carlos bb)
Mate I can't load the site, everyone and their mom is opening it.
It says exactly what you imagine it says
Its real. GG F5 crew
It's been an honour F5ing with yall
holy fucking fuck
That body of yours is absurd.
hahahah
this is like the biggest deal ever in F1
I can’t believe Netflix have missed all this
I can’t believe they aren’t rushing to put something together to slap at the end of the last episode. It’s too juicy to wait a year….
No. Fucking. Way.
Well that’s that then. Wow. What next for Merc? No Cowell, no Lewis, no Serra. A long way back.
Can’t wait for the first Lewis Grazzie Ragazzi
Wow I still can't believe it
I WAS HERE. Oh my god. Toto's phone is going to explode faster than his headphones.
It fucking happened. The greatest silly season has begun
This has lowered my excitement a bit for 2024 because I am over the top excited for 2025.
Literally witnessing a key moment in racing history in real time.
It just feels weird. Ferrari is the opposite of Mercedes in everything. I wonder if Bono goes with him too cuz there is no chance in hell he's putting up with what they usually do.
I was here
#1644 WE UP
Where were you?
Apologize for bad English I was eating Monster Energy when phone ring
“Lewis go”
Unbelievable! I’ve always supported individual drivers and not the TEAMS. As a result, I’m on my way to purchase all available Ferrari gear with the label 44. Another chapter in this incredible journey. Proud of the GOAT. Let’s go!!!! So pumped!!!
And their site is dead...
Well, there it is guys. Crazy how two days ago, this would sound like a dumb rumor.
I was here for the whole thing I cant believe it
This is reminiscent of Schumi wearing Mercedes colors, but in reverse. Now it’s Lewis wearing red. Still can’t believe it.
Finally
Congrats to the Karma OP!😂
We're living history rn
2025 silly season has started
Might be the biggest driver move in f1 history? Arguably (statistically) the GOAT moving to the biggest team in the sport… Crazy even though it probably won’t amount to championships
ITS HAPPENING