P1racenews AI automatic summary:
As several Formula 1 team and driver partnerships head into their final races – including Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes – Gary Anderson looks back at how his F1 teams handled their driver splits
Lewis Hamilton’s decision to move to Ferrari after winning six Formula 1 drivers’ championships for Mercedes was a significant loss for the team, causing tension and public disagreements between Hamilton and Toto Wolff. The last three seasons have been challenging for Hamilton as Mercedes struggled with the new ground effect regulations, leading to doubts about his own talent. Despite promises of a new era with each new Mercedes car launch, Hamilton found himself without a competitive car this season, with the team now a distant fourth in the championship. Losing drivers to other teams is not uncommon in F1, as experienced through cases like Michael Schumacher leaving Jordan for Benetton and Eddie Irvine departing for Ferrari. Despite the disappointments, there can be positives in such changes, as seen in the improved opportunities and insights gained through discussions with departing drivers.
