Mercedes has confirmed that the German outfit and Lewis Hamilton will part ways at the end of the 2024 F1 season.
Mercedes says that Hamilton has activated a release option in the contract announced last August and this season will therefore be his last driving for the Silver Arrows.
The team’s press release makes no mention of the Briton’s move to Ferrari although both team and driver reference a "new challenge" on Hamilton's horizon, with the Scuderia issuing a statement minutes after Mercedes confirming the seven-time world champion's hiring from 2025.
Lewis Hamilton departure from Mercedes will mark the end of a partnership that has been a tale of unprecedented success in Formula 1 between a team and a driver.
Since joining the team in 2013, Hamilton has rewritten the record books, establishing himself as one of the greatest drivers of all time.
His 82 wins with the Brackley squad and seven World Championships, a record he shares with the legendary Michael Schumacher, stand as a testament to his remarkable talent and relentless drive for victory.
“In terms of a team-driver pairing, our relationship with Lewis has become the most successful the sport has seen, and that's something we can look back on with pride,” commented Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff.
“Lewis will always be an important part of Mercedes motorsport history. However, we knew our partnership would come to a natural end at some point, and that day has now come.
“We accept Lewis's decision to seek a fresh challenge, and our opportunities for the future are exciting to contemplate. But for now, we still have one season to go, and we are focused on going racing to deliver a strong 2024.”
Lewis Hamilton added: "I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I'm so proud of what we have achieved together. 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.
“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.”
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