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It is exactly one year since Lewis Hamilton announced he would be leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari. RacingNews365 revisits that historic day.
On February 1, 2024, a seemingly ordinary day in the F1 world took a dramatic turn with the unexpected news of Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes to join Ferrari.
Rumors of Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari had been dismissed in the past, given his strong ties to Mercedes, but the reports gained credibility as major outlets began covering the story.
The development came as a shock to many, especially after Hamilton had signed a contract extension with Mercedes just months earlier in August 2023.
The news quickly spread through the media, with fans and pundits speculating on the reasons behind Hamilton’s decision, including his challenging seasons in 2022 and 2023.
The pivotal moment came when it was revealed that Mercedes staff were being briefed by Hamilton and team principal Toto Wolff, confirming the reality of the move.
Ultimately, what started as a regular day in February turned into a historic moment in F1, marking a significant change in the landscape of the sport.