Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes will part ways at the end of 2024 having spent 12 seasons competing at the highest level together.
Although their final seasons having been as successful as they would have liked, neither Mercedes nor Lewis Hamilton will be upset with what they achieved.
Hamilton arrived at Mercedes at the beginning of the 2013 season as a world champion but a driver who hadn’t quite fulfilled his full potential.
He narrowly missed out on winning the championship during his maiden Formula 1 season.
Hamilton and Fernando Alonso clashed in 2007 and both ended up handing the title to Ferrari star Kimi Raikkonen.
Four seasons of pushing for wins but ultimately not being able to compete with Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull prompted Hamilton to make a change.
Although his junior career is normally associated with McLaren, their partnership with Mercedes meant Hamilton also had a connection with the power unit supplier.
Speaking to the press when he was confirmed as Michael Schumacher’s replacement in 2012 ahead of the 2013 season, the Brit made one promise to the team about the future.
A dozen years later, Hamilton has more than delivered on what he set out to achieve.
Lewis Hamilton has fulfilled 2012 Mercedes promise ahead of Ferrari move
When Hamilton signed for Mercedes ahead of the 2013 season, he said, via BBC Sport: “It is now time for me to take on a fresh challenge and I am very excited to begin a new chapter.
“Mercedes-Benz has such an incredible heritage in motorsport, along with a passion for winning which I share.
“Together, we can grow and rise to this new challenge. I believe that I can help steer the Silver Arrows to the top and achieve our joint ambitions of winning the world championships.”
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Ross Brawn was team principal at the time and upon signing the British superstar, he added: “I believe that the combination of Lewis and Nico will be the most dynamic and exciting pairing on the grid next year and I am looking forward to what we can achieve together.
“Over the past three years, we have been putting in place the foundations and building blocks that are needed to compete regularly for the world championship.
“The potential is now there to match any other team on the grid.”
How Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes promise compares to his Ferrari signing statement
At the beginning of February 2024, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was confirmed, setting off a domino effect in the driver’s market that still hasn’t been completed.
Hamilton didn’t initially comment on the move, with Ferrari’s initially statement simply reading, ‘Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025, on a multi-year contract.’
However, the 39-year-old was asked about joining Ferrari at the first opportunity during pre-season testing.
“I have had an amazing 11 years with this team [Mercedes] and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together,” Hamilton said.
“Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old. It’s a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make.
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“But the time is right for me to take this step and I’m excited to be taking on a new challenge.
“I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together.
“I am 100% committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember.”
Hamilton was right to concentrate on the relationship he has had with Mercedes, rather than looking forward to 2025 before the season had even started.
However, once the reality kicks in after the chequered flag flies in Abu Dhabi, he can begin to get excited about the final move in his long and storied career.
