P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton made a shock decision last year to depart the Mercedes F1 team in favour of a move to Ferrari.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged that Lewis Hamilton’s decision to leave the team prevented potentially challenging discussions between them. Hamilton announced before the 2024 F1 season that it would be his final year with Mercedes, transitioning to Ferrari. Following challenging seasons in 2022 and 2023, along with Hamilton’s age, Mercedes faced uncertainty about a long-term commitment to him. Negotiation complexities were avoided when Hamilton chose to start a new chapter by joining Ferrari. Despite a challenging start with Ferrari and a lack of podium finishes, Hamilton remains hopeful for improved performance under new regulations in 2026. Despite Hamilton’s struggles, Wolff expressed that sympathy is unnecessary, labeling him as a formidable driver.
