Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton is set to leave Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season to join Ferrari, marking a seismic shift in his illustrious career.

The British racing icon recently recalled a “terrifying” meeting with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, where he informed him about his decision to sign a deal with Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Hamilton, who has been a key figure at Mercedes since 2013 and has achieved numerous milestones with the team, described the emotional rollercoaster of breaking the news to Wolff.

“It’s been a roller coaster of emotions from the moment I signed the contract,” Hamilton shared. “Telling my boss was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do.”

Wolff, however, took the news with surprising calmness. In an interview with the media, Wolff explained that the decision did not come as a shock. “Once he said, ‘this is what I’m trying to do,’ that was that. I didn’t try to convince him otherwise,” Wolff stated. “We’re big boys, and we knew by signing a short-term contract, this could happen. He’s taken the option to move on, and I fully respect that.”

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is seen as a bold and perhaps final chapter in his illustrious career, with Wolff referring to it as Hamilton’s “last gig” and a possible “roll of the dice.”

Hamilton’s Frustration with Mercedes Strategy in Singapore

As Hamilton prepares for his departure from Mercedes, recent frustrations have emerged over the team’s strategy calls. In the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, the 39-year-old driver started in a promising third place but dropped to sixth by the end of the race. Hamilton was left perplexed after Mercedes opted to start him on soft compound tires, a risky choice that ultimately backfired as he struggled to keep pace with rivals who started on the more durable medium compound.

After the race, Hamilton openly expressed his frustration, noting that he had advocated for starting on medium tires. “I know there’s been a lot of talk about our strategy in Singapore, which just didn’t work,” Hamilton wrote in an Instagram story. “It’s natural to be frustrated, but I ultimately agreed with the recommendation. We miscalculated what others might do.”

Mercedes’ technical director, James Allison, later admitted the team’s error, calling the decision to start Hamilton on soft tires “a mistake.” “We shouldn’t have started on the softs,” Allison conceded. “If we could turn back time, we would’ve chosen the medium tires like most others did.”

Despite the hiccup in Singapore, Hamilton stressed that there is no bad blood between him and Mercedes as he enters his final races with the team. “Make no mistake, things are cool with the team,” he added. “We’ve achieved so much together because we’re not afraid of those tricky conversations and challenging moments.”

A New Challenge Awaits with Ferrari

With just six races remaining in his Mercedes career, Hamilton is already looking ahead to his future with Ferrari. The switch to the legendary Italian team represents a new chapter for the British driver, who will be chasing his eighth world championship with a fresh start in 2025.

Until then, Hamilton has vowed to give his all for Mercedes, emphasizing that the bond between him and the team will remain strong until the very end. “We’ll support each other until the very end. It’s all love.”

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is one of the most significant driver transfers in recent memory, and it sets the stage for an exciting 2025 season as the world watches to see if Hamilton can bring glory back to Ferrari and add to his already historic legacy.

Mercedes Prepares Final Upgrades for Austin

As Hamilton bids farewell, Mercedes is still focused on the 2024 season. The team has confirmed that a “substantial” upgrade package will be introduced at the upcoming United States Grand Prix in Austin. Mercedes technical director James Allison has expressed optimism that the upgrades will help the team close out the season on a high note, despite recent struggles.

“We’ve got a fairly substantial set of new clothes for the car coming for Austin,” Allison revealed. “We hope this will give us a decent weekend there as we prepare for the final stretch of the season.”

The Formula 1 world will be watching closely as Hamilton finishes his final races with Mercedes, looking to make his mark one last time before heading to Ferrari and beginning a thrilling new chapter in his career.