[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by iamwingman

Where does Carlos go?

To Audi with Binotto as Team boss .

Can't go wrong...

[iamwingman]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

To Audi with Binotto as Team boss .

Can't go wrong...

Driving for sauber for a year, after being at Ferrari, would definitely suck..

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by iamwingman

Driving for sauber for a year, after being at Ferrari, would definitely suck..

As you can see => https://www.m3post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=600

[Artemis]

It's now officially confirmed by Mercedes-AMG:

"Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team & Lewis Hamilton To Part Ways
https://www.mercedesamgf1.com/news/m...s-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.”"

See also:
"Hamilton to make shock switch from Mercedes to Ferrari for 2025 season"
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...96Qrhbkb6.html

[E92inNC]

Originally Posted by Artemis

John Elkann calls the shots at Ferrari
John Elkann is prepared to pay lots of money for the services of a multiple WDC
John Elkann made no secret that he wants Hamilton inside a Ferrari F1 seat
Lewis Hamilton is a living F1 legend
driving for Ferrari remains a box that most F1 drivers hope to ever tick in their race career
connect the dots

I am aware of these points, my first thought went to his age and decline and Ferrari’s desire to win the championships. F1 is a young man’s sport and the quick twitch/responsiveness only goes down with age. We’ve seen throughout history, and in his current situation, the young driver outduel the driver in their 30s. I believe Charles is a better driver than Russell so I don’t see him faring well moving to a new team where the team will go with the younger driver if it comes down to it.

[bagekko]

Not a knock on Hamilton, but as a SF fan I can't see how this is going to improve things for them. It could improve their chances for Constructor points, provided the duo's increased points is not completely offset from DNFs on them crashing one another. 2 mega stars or top drivers on the same team has pretty much never gone well in the past 60 years.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Artemis

It's now officially confirmed by Mercedes-AMG:

"Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team & Lewis Hamilton To Part Ways
https://www.mercedesamgf1.com/news/m...s-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.”"

See also:
"Hamilton to make shock switch from Mercedes to Ferrari for 2025 season"
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...96Qrhbkb6.html

This means the end of LEW's F1 career .
LEW will be beaten like never before by Charlie in the Ferrari Team.

At some point in the 2025 season ,LEW will end his career as an F1 driver .
LEW won't find another 'worthy 2026 contract ..

[Roman]

Originally Posted by E92inNC

We’ve seen throughout history, and in his current situation, the young driver outduel the driver in their 30s.

*Alonso has entered the chat*

[Entropy89]

I thought it was April fools day but then realized its February 1st…i think the next team meetings for Mercedes are going to be interesting. Toto Wolff basically threw the team under the bus for producing a “shit” car for Hamilton and now Hamilton is leaving at the end of the year, awkward. And does Bottas come back to Mercedes next year?

Does Sainz go to Audi/Sauber for 2026? Sainz is the only other driver besides Max and Checo to win a race in 2023…very surprising that Ferrari would just throw him away.

Also the pressure really is on LeClerc now.

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

LEW will be beaten like never before by Charlie

Perhaps. I don't think anyone doubts Leclerc will dominate in qualifying.

I would hope to see Hamilton run him closer in races.

I am curious how Hamilton will handle wheel to wheel battles with Ferrari in 2024 -- more cautious to avoid taking out a Ferrari (and any damage to his relationship with SF)?

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

LEW will be beaten like never before by Charlie in the Ferrari Team.

Don't underestimate the old fox.

But Leclerc has the advantage that he knows the dynamics of the car, knows the team and how it operates, and fluently speaks Italian (team language). Hamilton will have to manage a steep learning curve in this new work environment. And figure out Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, etc...

It's neat that he accepted the challenge to spend his final racing years at Ferrari. Fred Vasseur is probably also a more likeable person to work with compared to control freak Toto Wolff. He avoids being asked for ages after his racing career "why did you never drive for Ferrari ?". The dozens of millions of cash helps too, of course.

Normally this also means the end of the co-operation between Hamilton and Bono after this season.

[Artemis]

Official statements:

Mercedes-AMG:
https://www.mercedesamgf1.com/news/m...s-to-part-ways



Ferrari:
https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/formul...se-01-feb-2024

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Don't underestimate the old fox.

But Leclerc has the advantage that he knows the dynamics of the car, knows the team and how it operates, and fluently speaks Italian (team language). Hamilton will have to manage a steep learning curve in this new work environment. And figure out Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, etc...

It's neat that he accepted the challenge to spend his final racing years at Ferrari. Fred Vasseur is probably also a more likeable person to work with compared to control freak Toto Wolff. He avoids being asked for ages after his racing career "why did you never drive for Ferrari ?". The dozens of millions of cash helps too, of course.

Normally this also means the end of the co-operation between Hamilton and Bono after this season.

LEW was also the old fox in the 2021/22 and 23 season

But the old fox didn't catch a single chicken ...

[Killed by Death]

I still think this is a publicity stunt. But, ole' #44 just might wanna do his farewell tour in a Ferrari. What's he got to loose

Maybe MKSixer will come back since I can't bang on Lewis anymore

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by jkoral

Perhaps. I don't think anyone doubts Leclerc will dominate in qualifying.

I would hope to see Hamilton run him closer in races.

I am curious how Hamilton will handle wheel to wheel battles with Ferrari in 2024 -- more cautious to avoid taking out a Ferrari (and any damage to his relationship with SF)?

Indeed . LEW's situation in 2024 will be very complicated .

And in 2025 at Ferrari even more ...

I say : LEW's end is near .

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

I still think this is a publicity stunt. But, ole' #44 just might wanna do his farewell tour in a Ferrari. What's he got to loose

Maybe MKSixer will come back since I can't bang on Lewis anymore

Well , his face and his @ss and his 7 (actually 6)! worldtitles would look like a F1 joke ..

BTW ..You will bang on LEW when he does a Copse-Silverstone dirty trick with Charlie , like he did with MAX !

All I can see in 2025 is : Ferrari War Horses !

You know it , I know it : Charlie is 'unbeatable at Ferrari ...
LEW will go down my friend !

MKSixer ?
He won't show his face anymore . Too bad !

[Andrew2]

Alonso - Vettel and now Hamilton .... can Ferrari provide the car and team to make them the champions that they WERE ?

Recent history says NO and I don`t see why this would change

F1 is now the worst epitome of a `sport` that it has ever been ... bring back Bernie !

[Andrew2]

Originally Posted by Artemis

• John Elkann calls the shots at Ferrari
• John Elkann is prepared to pay lots of money for the services of a multiple WDC
• John Elkann made no secret that he wants Hamilton inside a Ferrari F1 seat
• Lewis Hamilton is a living F1 legend
• driving for Ferrari remains a box that most F1 drivers hope to ever tick in their race career
• connect the dots

Lewis Hamilton is a living F1 legend

Only in his own lunchtime ...

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Well , his face and his @ss and his 7 (actually 6)! worldtitles would look like a F1 joke ..

BTW ..You will bang on LEW when he does a Copse-Silverstone dirty trick with Charlie , like he did with MAX !

All I can see in 2025 is : Ferrari War Horses !

You know it , I know it : Charlie is 'unbeatable at Ferrari ...
LEW will go down my friend !

MKSixer ?
He won't show his face anymore . Too bad !

Lewis must know something...Insider information, like when he jumped ship for MB

Or, he just wants to look good in a red car before heading out the door.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Lewis must know something...Insider information, like when he jumped ship for MB

Or, he just wants to look good in a red car before heading out the door.

Of course , LEW knows more than we do ..
I think LEW's first Merc W15 sims didn't look promising . I heard the W15 improved a lot , but it Isn't the promised World title rocket...

LEW looks like 5H1T in red !

It's all about this ..

[Artemis]

Start Grid Season 2024

Red Bull

• Max Verstappen (contract till Dec 2028)
• Sergio Perez (contract till Dec 2024)

Mercedes

• Lewis Hamilton (contract till Dec 2025 [abridged to Dec 2024])
• George Russell (contract till Dec 2025)

Ferrari

• Charles Leclerc (contract till Dec 2026)
• Carlos Sainz (contract till Dec 2024)

McLaren

• Lando Norris (contract till Dec 2027)
• Oscar Piastri (contract till Dec 2026)

Aston Martin

• Fernando Alonso (contract till Dec 2024)
• Lance Stroll (unknown)

Alpine

• Esteban Ocon (contract till Dec 2024)
• Pierre Gasly (contract till Dec 2024 + option 1 extra year)

Williams

• Alex Albon (contract till Dec 2024)
• Logan Sargeant (contract till Dec 2024)

AlphaTauri

• Daniel Ricciardo (contract till Dec 2024)
• Yuki Tsunoda (contract till Dec 2024)

Sauber

• Valtteri Bottas (contract till Dec 2024)
• Zhou Guanyu (contract till Dec 2024)

Haas

• Kevin Magnussen (contract till Dec 2024)
• Nico Hulkenberg (contract till Dec 2024)

Lots of candidates for the Mercedes 2025 seat.

[lens]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Hamilton will have to manage a steep learning curve in this new work environment. And figure out Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, etc...

Don't forget plan F

*starting to rain out on track*

"Ok, box for hards"