Lewis Hamilton’s stunning decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season was one of the most shocking developments in recent F1 history.
His move came just months after signing a contract extension with the Silver Arrows, a deal originally intended to keep him at the team through 2025. However, after Mercedes endured a winless 2023 season—their first since 2011—Lewis Hamilton felt he had reached the limits of what he could achieve with the team and opted for a fresh challenge.
Ferrari approached Hamilton midway through 2023, mere weeks after he had re-signed with Mercedes. Thanks to a performance-related break clause in his contract, he was able to exit the deal. With Mercedes finishing second in the Constructors’ Championship and failing to provide a title-contending car, the seven-time world champion seized the opportunity to join the Scuderia.
Since his arrival, Lewis Hamilton has integrated well within Ferrari, appearing comfortable in the SF-25 during pre-season testing in Bahrain. In just two days, he managed to surpass a milestone Carlos Sainz had set in 2024, reinforcing Ferrari’s status as a frontrunner over a single lap.
Carlos Sainz, meanwhile, found himself without a Ferrari contract for 2025 and spent much of the previous season searching for a new seat. The latest season of *Drive to Survive*, releasing on March 7th, captures a revealing moment from the Bahrain pre-season press conference. Microphones picked up Sainz discussing a potential move to Mercedes with Hamilton, who made a striking comment about his former team’s future.
Lewis Hamilton’s Brutal Take on Mercedes Future Caught on *Drive to Survive*
With multiple drivers out of contract at the end of 2024, the Spanish driver had several options to consider. However, opportunities at the top four teams were scarce—McLaren had secured its driver lineup, and while Red Bull remained a possibility, his history with Max Verstappen made that move unlikely.
Mercedes, on the other hand, had a vacancy following Hamilton’s departure. When the Spaniard questioned Hamilton about the possibility of joining the Silver Arrows, the *Drive to Survive* microphones captured the seven-time champion’s blunt verdict on the team’s future prospects.
Hamilton: “Have you talked to Toto?”
Sainz: “I haven’t talked to Toto yet. Which makes me feel like if he had an interest, he would’ve already called me. You don’t think Merc will win again? You think they are declining?”
Hamilton: “No, I don’t think so.”
Lewis Hamilton Secures Two Final Mercedes Victories Before Maranello Move
Before making his high-profile switch to the Italian side, Lewis Hamilton added two more victories to his illustrious career with Mercedes, further cementing his legacy with the team.
One of those triumphs came in dominant fashion at the British Grand Prix, marking a record-breaking ninth victory at Silverstone. It was a fitting farewell moment for Hamilton, who had long been a fan favorite at his home circuit.
His second win, however, came under more unusual circumstances. Following George Russell’s disqualification from the Belgian Grand Prix due to an underweight car, Hamilton—who had originally finished second—was promoted to the top step of the podium.
Mercedes managed to secure two additional race wins through Russell, who claimed victories at the Austrian and Las Vegas Grands Prix. The latter was particularly significant, as it came at a time when McLaren and Ferrari were locked in a fierce battle for the Constructors’ Championship.
Despite these successes, Mercedes ultimately slipped to fourth in the final standings, seemingly justifying Hamilton’s decision to part ways with the team. Ferrari finished second, falling just 14 points short of McLaren, highlighting the Scuderia’s upward trajectory compared to Mercedes’ struggles.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz found himself in need of a new home after being replaced at Ferrari. Following months of discussions with multiple teams, he ultimately committed to Williams, convinced by team principal James Vowles that the project could offer him a competitive future.
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