Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was a shocking development in the motorsport world, as many believed his career would end with Mercedes. The Briton had been linked to the German manufacturer since his debut in 2007, and there were already rumors of a potential ambassadorial role after his retirement. However, something broke behind the scenes of that once-perfect machine, which had rewritten Formula 1 history together. And it was likely something deep and personal, not just a matter of performance.
One key factor that strained relations was Brackley’s understandable desire to focus on the next generation. The arrival of George Russell two years ago was already a clear sign, followed by the rapid rise of Kimi Antonelli through the junior categories. According to Juan Pablo Montoya, Lewis Hamilton lost part of his motivation when he realized Mercedes was prioritizing his younger teammate and pushing him aside.
“Last year, Lewis Hamilton had a shock. Everything had been built around him, and he got what he wanted, but then the priority shifted to giving George Russell what he wanted. The team’s future lies with George, so they focused on him, not Lewis Hamilton,” the former driver said in a recent interview for *CasinoApps*. “The right environment will help Hamilton regain his form, especially in qualifying. There will be more attention on his car, and his issues will be resolved quickly—just like Russell’s were at Mercedes,” Juan Pablo Montoya concluded.
