George Russell sends classy Lewis Hamilton message after sensational Ferrari move | F1 | Sport
Hamilton and Russell both signed new two-year contract extensions during the summer of 2023 that were set to keep the pair with the Silver Arrows until the end of the 2025 campaign, but this has not materialised.
The seven-time world champion activated an exit clause in his deal to complete a switch to rivals Ferrari, joining the Italian constructor for the start of the 2025 season, and making the upcoming campaign his last with the Brackley-based team.
After the news was announced, Russell took to the X social media platform to post: “It’s been special racing alongside you, @lewishamilton. Let’s make this season one to remember.”
The news brings to an end what will be a 12-year partnership between Hamilton and Mercedes with the legendary Brit collecting six of his seven World Championship titles with the team after joining from McLaren back in 2013.
Team principal Toto Wolff also sent his well-wishes to the seven-time champion after the news was confirmed, stating: “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; 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.”
The switch will see Hamilton link up with Charles Leclerc in 2025 with the Monegasque driver putting pen to paper on a new multi-year contract in January. This means that Carlos Sainz will be left without a guaranteed spot on the grid beyond next season.
Russell, meanwhile, will take over the mantle as the lead driver at Mercedes, although it remains to be seen who will be his new team-mate.
Alex Albon, Esteban Ocon and Sainz himself have all been touted as potential options for the Silver Arrows, but what is known is that Russell is well-placed to step up and lead the team into its new era.
