Participating in the last Formula One vehicle launch of his Mercedes career on Wednesday, Lewis Hamilton acknowledged, felt “emotional” and “surreal”.
Seven-time Formula One world champion Hamilton will shockingly join Ferrari at the conclusion of the 2024 season, leaving Mercedes behind.
In August, the 39-year-old agreed to a new two-year contract worth £100 million ($126 million) with Mercedes.
But Hamilton recently made his move to the Italian squad official by activating a break clause, acknowledging that the idea of “driving in Ferrari red” was too alluring to refuse.
For the first time since his highly anticipated switch was confirmed, Hamilton spoke at the Mercedes unveiling, saying: “The last few weeks have obviously been emotional and it is very surreal.”to be in this place.
“Getting the team back to where we were earlier in the season is the main goal of our winter training. These challenging years we’ve experienced have been incredibly reorienting for us. It has enabled us to refocus and take a close look at things.”
Standing next to Hamilton at the launch, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff continued, “It has been an extremely hectic winter. Since this will be our final season with Lewis, we are eager to bring a fast vehicle.”
Six of Hamilton’s record-tying seven world titles—he joined Mercedes from McLaren in 2013—came from the Silver Arrows.
But after missing out on what would have been a great opportunity to challenge Red Bull rival Max Verstappen, the British driver has found it difficult to match record seventh world championship in a contentious manner in 2021.
An uncomfortable final car launch at the team’s Northamptonshire location resulted from his lengthy farewell to Mercedes.
Hamilton only responded to three of the Mercedes moderator’s questions during the short nine-minute session.
I’ve been with the squad since 2013, so I’m starting my 12th year here,” he stated. “It is such a privilege to work with a group of people where you see the work they do over the winter and you see a car come together at the beginning of the year and it is the most exciting part of the season.”
At a rain-soaked Silverstone on Wednesday, Hamilton, who hasn’t won in two years, and teammate George Russell will experience the Mercedes car for the first time.
“We have to be diligent, maximise practice and even one lap, George and I might get in the rain today will give us a feeling of what is to come,”stated Hamilton.
Mercedes’ campaign last year was their first without a victory in twelve years, finishing 413 points behind Red Bull.
In the upcoming season, Wolff intends to catch up to the champs with the modified vehicle.
“This is an entirely new automotive introduction. It is significantly different, mostly beneath as well as on the aerodynamic front,” he remarked. “The most crucial thing is to examine ourselves. What went wrong? We looked for hints, attempted to rule out as many possibilities as we could, and the company is buzzing with activity that I haven’t seen in a long time.
“We are aware that there is a significant mountain to climb given that a team as far ahead as Red Bull were not simple to deal with last year. However, we have a fantastic driver combination and a swift car. There are a few key components to getting back to the forefront.”
Bahrain will host the first Grand Prix of the Formula One season on March 2.