Lewis Hamilton dismissing the scepticism associated with his previous Formula 1 move to Mercedes acted as a “precedent” in his choice to agree a switch to Ferrari.
Hamilton sent ripples through the F1 world back in February when it was announced that he will be departing Mercedes once the season ends to go to Ferrari in 2025.
The seven-time F1 champion has been with the works Mercedes setup since 2013, while the German marque has also powered all of his 353 race starts in F1 to date.
But while he repeated the desire to end his career at Mercedes with a new deal last September, Hamilton activated a break clause in that agreement to finalise an exit.
Matt Whyman, who was given inside access to Mercedes to write an all-access book on the team, has opened up on the rationale behind Hamilton’s decision to leave.
“I asked him directly what was going on and he just said, ‘It is every kid’s dream who gets involved in motor racing to race a Ferrari, and that is it – I did not want to get to the end of my career and look back and go, what if?’” Whyman told The Mirror.
“He says he knows when the end of his career will be. He has got this very clear plan ahead of him.
“He said it is really meaningful to him, the fact that he has won all these races with Mercedes and he has been on this journey.
“The one thing he had not done and he just thought, ‘I do not want to walk away and go, I wish I had done that’.”
Hamilton’s emotional Mercedes exit
The book delves into the moment that Hamilton told Mercedes boss Toto Wolff about his impending exit over breakfast, which he branded his “hardest meeting” ever.
But Whyman has recounted how informing his inner circle within Mercedes – including long-time race engineer Peter Bonnington – provided the greatest mental strain.
“His team mean a great deal to him – all his engineers, Bono, all the team, they mean such a lot to him,” he explained.
“Every year he takes them paintballing, just a pre-season bonding experience, and it was all set up to go so he had to go to the paintballing.
“He said to me that he arrived and he saw them all waiting to go in. He said he could not get out of the car for 20 minutes.
“He was just so struck with, ‘What am I going to say to them after all of this time?’ He is very human. I do not think this was a robotic decision.
“I know Lewis can come across as very focused and it is a focused decision.
“But he is a human being, he knows that it has repercussions and on a friendship level, that was the thing that he cared about most of all.
“Talking to his colleagues, I think everyone understands. It is Ferrari, and this is a guy who has done everything – that is the one think he has not done.”
Hamilton used Mercedes doubts as Ferrari inspiration
Hamilton might be the most decorated driver to have ever graced the sport with 105 victories, but his switch to Ferrari at this stage in his career has been questioned.
The outgoing Mercedes driver will turn 40 prior to his maiden outing at Ferrari, a side which represents a unique environment that Hamilton will not be accustomed to.
However, Hamilton is no stranger to such doubts as he experienced that when he elected to leave an established, race-winning McLaren to head to Mercedes in 2013.
Hamilton soon silenced his critics as he claimed six titles in seven seasons from 2014 to 2021, an outcome that has inspired him to realise his dream of racing in red.
“He called upon that as a kind of a precedent, if you like,” Whyman added.
“Back then, he was younger and it was a harder decision to make, he did not quite have the confidence.
“He is very fond of McLaren, but he says it was almost like growing up in a house with your parents and then you become an adult – you want your independence and you want your freedom, but you are still being treated like you have not got that far yet. His precedent was, ‘I have done this before and everyone said what are you doing? I have got to go with my gut’.”
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