© Sam Bloxham for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix ltd.
At a pre-season testing drivers’ press conference in Bahrain, Lewis Hamilton was asked what changed between the time he signed an extension with Mercedes and his decision to leave for Ferrari.
Back in August of 2023, Lewis Hamilton signed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes.
It was later revealed that he actually signed a one year contract with an option for another year, and he decided to activate this ‘exit clause’ last month, after agreeing to sign with Ferrari for 2025.
At a 2024 pre-season testing drivers’ press conference, Lewis was asked what made him change his mind.
“Obviously in summer we signed and at that time I saw my future with Mercedes,” the Briton said.
“But an opportunity came up in the New Year and I decided to take it. It was obviously the hardest decision I think I’ve ever had to make.
“I’ve been with Mercedes for I think it’s like 26 years they’ve supported me and we’ve had an absolutely incredible journey together.
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“We’ve have created history within the sport and it’s something I take a lot of pride in and am very proud of what we’ve achieved.
“But I think ultimately I’m writing my story and I felt like it was time to start a new chapter.
“I think for every driver growing up, watching history, watching Michael Schumacher in his prime, probably all of us sit in out garage and see the screen pop up and you see the driver in the red cockpit and you wonder what it’d be like to be surrounded by it.
“You go to the Italian Grand Prix, we see the sea of red of Ferrari fans and you can only stand in awe of that. It is a team that has not had huge success since Michael’s days and since 2007, and I saw it as a huge challenge.
“As a kid, I used to play as Michael in that car, so it is definitely a dream, and I am really, really excited about it,” Hamilton concluded.
