As Lewis Hamilton looks to a new chapter at Ferrari, Mercedes will also have to reinvent itself without its historic pillar.
After 12 years of historic collaboration, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have officially ended their partnership at the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season. The seven-time world champion, who will join Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc from 2025, leaves behind him a team that marked his career and an unwavering bond with Toto Wolff, the director of the German team.
A farewell after 12 years of success
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes, it’s a story that will have redefined the standards of Formula 1. Together, they won six of the Briton’s seven world titles, accumulating historic records. But all good things must come to an end. After a 2024 season marked by ups and downs, Hamilton chose to take on a new challenge by signing with Ferrari for 2025. This decision ends one of the most successful collaborations in the history of this sport.
“We knew this moment would come, but it remains difficult to accept” said Toto Wolff. The Mercedes director did not hide his emotion at the departure of the man who wore the colors of the team brilliantly for more than a decade.
A promise for the future
Despite this earthquake in the paddock, Toto Wolff wanted to ensure that the links between him and Hamilton will continue.
“We said we were going to work hard to maintain our relationship. It will be fierce competition on the track, but if individuals want to preserve a relationship beyond the competition, that is entirely possible. And we will do so , it’s a promise” he declared.
After the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the last meeting of the season, Wolff also wanted to send a poignant tribute to Hamilton: “This partnership has been the longest and most successful in Formula 1 history. Who could have imagined this when we started this journey? Lewis, whatever the future holds, remember that we will always be your loved ones. Every dream needs a team, and you know it.”
A new page for Hamilton and Mercedes
As Lewis Hamilton looks to a new chapter at Ferrari, Mercedes will also have to reinvent itself without its historic pillar. However, one thing is certain: the memories shared between the seven-time world champion and his former team will continue to inspire future generations. Their competitiveness on the track will be fierce, but their human connection remains unwavering.
