Q&A: Has Lewis Hamilton abandoned resurgent Mercedes too soon?
Mercedes have won three of the last four races.
Lewis Hamilton heads into Formula One’s summer break with two victories from his last three appearances following George Russell’s disqualification at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Hamilton’s form and Mercedes’ resurgence will raise questions about the seven-time world champion’s decision to leave the Silver Arrows for Ferrari next season.
Here, the PA news agency asks if Hamilton has written off Mercedes too early?
Why is Hamilton joining Ferrari in 2025?
Hamilton finished ninth at last season’s concluding race in Abu Dhabi to extend his losing streak into two seasons. It also marked Mercedes’ first winless campaign in 12 years. The Silver Arrows ended the season an eye-watering 413 points behind Red Bull, with Toto Wolff admitting his team would need to scale Mount Everest to topple Max Verstappen. Hamilton had only recently signed an extension to remain with the Silver Arrows but during the winter break he took the shock decision to end his association with the team which carried him to six of his seven record-equalling world championships and join Ferrari in 2025 on a multi-year deal. Hamilton, who will be 40 when he makes his debut for the Scuderia at the Australian Grand Prix in March, described the blockbuster transfer as the realisation of a childhood dream.
So, has he made the right decision?
But what’s happened since?
What has Hamilton said?
Has Hamilton written off Mercedes too early?
Mercedes have won three of the last four races and certainly head into the summer break as the form team. It is a stunning turnaround for a team which looked down and out just a couple of months ago. And, as it stands, they, along with McLaren, look the team most likely to challenge Verstappen and Red Bull. But Hamilton has form when it comes to making the right move – his transfer from McLaren to Mercedes raised eyebrows but the Silver Arrows dominated a regulation change in 2014 to transform Hamilton into the most decorated driver in F1 history. Although the rules will remain stable next season, Hamilton will be pinning his hopes on Ferrari mastering the next overhaul of regulations in 2026 to deliver him the eighth title he so desperately craves.
