F1 News: Hamilton uncertain on his future after Ferrari announcement

Lewis Hamilton looks sad as Toto Wolff looks on angrily — Photo: © IMAGO

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Hamilton uncertain on his future after Ferrari announcement

The Brit needs to talk with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff about his Ferrari F1 move next season

Originally written by Yara Elshebiny. This version is a translation.

Thursday 18 April 2024 03:00

Lewis Hamilton admitted he will need to talk with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff about his Ferrari move.

The air hangs heavy at Mercedes headquarters. Hamilton, the face of the Silver Arrows for an era-defining decade, will be leaving the team and joining Ferrari next season, replacing Carlos Sainz and partnering with Charles Leclerc.

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This leaves a gaping hole in the Mercedes garage, and Wolff faces a critical decision on who will replace the seven-time champion.

The Brit, for his part, remains laser-focused on his final season with Mercedes, hoping to secure at least one victory before their journey together concludes.

A race win, at least, would be a fitting farewell after a winless streak stretching back to the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

However, Hamilton now needs to talk with Wolff to discuss his historic move to Ferrari next season.

Hamilton: 'I don't know how to navigate'

This isn't entirely unfamiliar territory for Hamilton, as he switched from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013.

However, there's a crucial difference between his past switch and this one. His previous transfer was announced much later in the 2012 season, on September 28th.

Now, with a significant chunk of the 2024 season yet to unfold, Hamilton acknowledges the uncharted territory he finds himself in.

"I think it will start with a conversation with Toto, because I don't know how to navigate", the Briton told Autosport.

"I've never been in this position before at this point of the year.

"When I was leaving McLaren, it was towards the end of the season. I didn't get to go to Mercedes till, I think, it was in December when I had my first seat fit, after the season was done. I'm not quite sure how I'm going to navigate it."

Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Mercedes Charles Leclerc Carlos Sainz Toto Wolff