Here we are, it's the official confirmation that Hamilton is leaving Mercedes. No announcement from Ferrari yet though so, just maybe, Hamilton to Haas? It's really happening, though, holy shit....
Here we are, it's the official confirmation that Hamilton is leaving Mercedes. No announcement from Ferrari yet though so, just maybe, Hamilton to Haas?
The frenzy, the scenes, of the fanbase, of all of F1, if this had actually happened. And it would've been glorious. Now I'm disappointed it's only Lewis to Ferrari.
Hamilton to Haas?
The frenzy, the scenes, of the fanbase, of all of F1, if this had actually happened. And it would've been glorious.
I cannot believe that the rumors were true. Our F1 chat was just discussing the authenticity of all the news articles that were popping up in the past couple days. It boiled down to the fact that...
I cannot believe that the rumors were true. Our F1 chat was just discussing the authenticity of all the news articles that were popping up in the past couple days. It boiled down to the fact that not one of us would believe it unless it came from an official source. Now, just an hour later, this was published. Wow!
It just adds a little more validity to the news saying that Sainz was talking to RedBull and Haas. 2025 is going to be interesting and 2024 hasn't even started yet.
Can someone explain to a non-F1 fan why this is huge news? My coworker who is a fan was acting like this was a massive deal but I didn’t really understand why. EDIT: All the replies helped me...
Can someone explain to a non-F1 fan why this is huge news? My coworker who is a fan was acting like this was a massive deal but I didn’t really understand why.
EDIT: All the replies helped me understand the importance. Thank you!
Lewis Hamilton is really good, like, one of the best, right now and he's leaving his top 3 team to go to a competitor. So, if you're a football fan, imagine Mahomes or Kelce going to the 49ers...
Lewis Hamilton is really good, like, one of the best, right now and he's leaving his top 3 team to go to a competitor.
So, if you're a football fan, imagine Mahomes or Kelce going to the 49ers tomorrow.
The biggest current F1 driver (and probably of all time, if going by statistics) going to the biggest F1 team. Hamilton has had a long career (2007-now) and has only driven for 2 teams in that...
The biggest current F1 driver (and probably of all time, if going by statistics) going to the biggest F1 team. Hamilton has had a long career (2007-now) and has only driven for 2 teams in that duration, 1) McLaren Mercedes and 2) Mercedes AMG. While there have always been rumors of Hamilton moving to Ferrari, it just seemed like wishful thinking and it was generally accepted that he would finish his career at Mercedes and go on to become their brand ambassador, etc.
The move came so swiftly and so suddenly that it shocked everyone. Usually when a driver or a team is making a move, there are weeks-months of rumors, constant denials and then eventually there is the announcement. In this case, the rumors -> announcement stage took less than 24 hours; less than 16 hours I believe.
He is leaving the brand and the team that has given him all of his success (7 World Championships). While we all wanted to see Hamilton in a Ferrari, it was quite a given that it wouldn't happen. Apologies for the word soup; I've been reeling with the news since the past day. I've watched the sport for over 25 years at this point and there are maybe 2-3 moments that come close if you consider the shock-value. (Schumacher returning in 2010, Rosberg retiring in 2016- a day after winning the Championship, Indianapolis 2005)
To add on to Sodliddesu's explanation, this move basically came out of nowhere. There was little to no indication that Hamilton was really looking for an out from his team, Mercedes. It was also...
To add on to Sodliddesu's explanation, this move basically came out of nowhere. There was little to no indication that Hamilton was really looking for an out from his team, Mercedes. It was also known he had signed a multiyear deal with Mercedes through at least 2025, back in August.
While Mercedes' cars were bad in 2022 and 2023, it seemed liked they were starting to get a handle on it towards the end of 2023. In fact, Lewis Hamilton was third in the Driver's Championship last year, even as bad as the car was.
But then some rumors started bubbling up yesterday. At first it looked like just "silly season" rumors, but then people realized that the sources of these rumors are typically credible, especially when it comes to Ferrari. And then all of a sudden this morning, boom! News breaks that Hamilton moving to Ferrari starting in 2025. That multiyear contract may have only been like a 1yr (2024) + 1 or more years as options type of contract. I'm not too sure on the details of that or how those work. Either way, so much for "multiyear" through 2025.
Even though both Mercedes and Hamilton have admitted it's been tough the last couple of seasons, everyone assumed Hamilton would stick with Mercedes through thick and thin (as he's been doing), and probably even retire from the sport within the next few years while with Mercedes; he's 39 -- the second oldest driver in F1 currently -- and this is his 18th year in F1. Additionally, he's won 6 of his 7 World Drivers Championships with Mercedes.
this is worth a watch Here's my dream: Nando to Merc (he's spending a lot of time with George!) Logan FIRED... and goes to Indycar Kimi to Williams (since he'll win F2) Carlos to Red Bull (like...
Sainz to RB would be great, but I'm not sure how well he'd deal with being squelched by Verstappen. I think there's only a handful of drivers with the skill and mental fortitude (and then the...
Sainz to RB would be great, but I'm not sure how well he'd deal with being squelched by Verstappen. I think there's only a handful of drivers with the skill and mental fortitude (and then the elbows on track) who could take the fight to Verstappen, and I just don't see Sainz being able to manage that very high level over a whole season. He's got excellent consistency, being at a "very good" level, but I don't see him reaching the "excellent" level weekend after weekend.
in this off-season I'm watching the 2016 season and I'm loving Sainz and Verstappen together. I think he'd do well, but I also don't think he's happy being the #2 driver. In my perfect world we'd...
in this off-season I'm watching the 2016 season and I'm loving Sainz and Verstappen together. I think he'd do well, but I also don't think he's happy being the #2 driver.
In my perfect world we'd get Nando at RB for a season or two before retirement. It'd be so nice to see the master in the best car before he leaves the grid. The good news is that Nando's still got another 35 years on his career to go :)
to be fair, hard not to be squelched by Verstappen no matter which team you're on... the memes about the races being more interesting if you just tape a piece of paper on the screen to cover P1...
to be fair, hard not to be squelched by Verstappen no matter which team you're on... the memes about the races being more interesting if you just tape a piece of paper on the screen to cover P1 are real.
Does anyone on the grid seem poised to take Hamilton's place at Mercedes? Certainly Russell will take up a "first driver" position, but I'm rather interested on what this means for Mercedes....
Does anyone on the grid seem poised to take Hamilton's place at Mercedes? Certainly Russell will take up a "first driver" position, but I'm rather interested on what this means for Mercedes. Personally, I think they might pull a McLaren and have two young drivers (Albon maybe?) instead of giving Bottas a call.
Although I feel like they "could" bet on a rookie, their programme is still "in its early days", and the only one that feels like they might be ready for F1 in 2025 is Vesti, and that would leave a sour taste afterwards, since that might just displace Antonelli, who is touted as the next great thing.
Here we are, it's the official confirmation that Hamilton is leaving Mercedes. No announcement from Ferrari yet though so, just maybe, Hamilton to Haas?
It's really happening, though, holy shit.
EDIT: The Ferrari announcement is out: https://twitter.com/ScuderiaFerrari/status/1753133900925129140
The frenzy, the scenes, of the fanbase, of all of F1, if this had actually happened. And it would've been glorious.
Now I'm disappointed it's only Lewis to Ferrari.
I cannot believe that the rumors were true. Our F1 chat was just discussing the authenticity of all the news articles that were popping up in the past couple days. It boiled down to the fact that not one of us would believe it unless it came from an official source. Now, just an hour later, this was published. Wow!
It just adds a little more validity to the news saying that Sainz was talking to RedBull and Haas. 2025 is going to be interesting and 2024 hasn't even started yet.
I really don't want Sainz to go to Haas. It feels like a has-been team, and Sainz is way too good for them.
Agreed. I'd like to see him at RedBull, but he would be the 2nd driver again. If he went to Haas, he would likely be their number 1 driver.
Can someone explain to a non-F1 fan why this is huge news? My coworker who is a fan was acting like this was a massive deal but I didn’t really understand why.
EDIT: All the replies helped me understand the importance. Thank you!
Lewis Hamilton is really good, like, one of the best, right now and he's leaving his top 3 team to go to a competitor.
So, if you're a football fan, imagine Mahomes or Kelce going to the 49ers tomorrow.
The biggest current F1 driver (and probably of all time, if going by statistics) going to the biggest F1 team. Hamilton has had a long career (2007-now) and has only driven for 2 teams in that duration, 1) McLaren Mercedes and 2) Mercedes AMG. While there have always been rumors of Hamilton moving to Ferrari, it just seemed like wishful thinking and it was generally accepted that he would finish his career at Mercedes and go on to become their brand ambassador, etc.
The move came so swiftly and so suddenly that it shocked everyone. Usually when a driver or a team is making a move, there are weeks-months of rumors, constant denials and then eventually there is the announcement. In this case, the rumors -> announcement stage took less than 24 hours; less than 16 hours I believe.
He is leaving the brand and the team that has given him all of his success (7 World Championships). While we all wanted to see Hamilton in a Ferrari, it was quite a given that it wouldn't happen. Apologies for the word soup; I've been reeling with the news since the past day. I've watched the sport for over 25 years at this point and there are maybe 2-3 moments that come close if you consider the shock-value. (Schumacher returning in 2010, Rosberg retiring in 2016- a day after winning the Championship, Indianapolis 2005)
To add on to Sodliddesu's explanation, this move basically came out of nowhere. There was little to no indication that Hamilton was really looking for an out from his team, Mercedes. It was also known he had signed a multiyear deal with Mercedes through at least 2025, back in August.
While Mercedes' cars were bad in 2022 and 2023, it seemed liked they were starting to get a handle on it towards the end of 2023. In fact, Lewis Hamilton was third in the Driver's Championship last year, even as bad as the car was.
But then some rumors started bubbling up yesterday. At first it looked like just "silly season" rumors, but then people realized that the sources of these rumors are typically credible, especially when it comes to Ferrari. And then all of a sudden this morning, boom! News breaks that Hamilton moving to Ferrari starting in 2025. That multiyear contract may have only been like a 1yr (2024) + 1 or more years as options type of contract. I'm not too sure on the details of that or how those work. Either way, so much for "multiyear" through 2025.
Even though both Mercedes and Hamilton have admitted it's been tough the last couple of seasons, everyone assumed Hamilton would stick with Mercedes through thick and thin (as he's been doing), and probably even retire from the sport within the next few years while with Mercedes; he's 39 -- the second oldest driver in F1 currently -- and this is his 18th year in F1. Additionally, he's won 6 of his 7 World Drivers Championships with Mercedes.
So yeah. Big news days in the sport. Even overshadowed some controversial news from the day before.
The mad lad did it!!!
this is worth a watch
Here's my dream:
Sainz to RB would be great, but I'm not sure how well he'd deal with being squelched by Verstappen. I think there's only a handful of drivers with the skill and mental fortitude (and then the elbows on track) who could take the fight to Verstappen, and I just don't see Sainz being able to manage that very high level over a whole season. He's got excellent consistency, being at a "very good" level, but I don't see him reaching the "excellent" level weekend after weekend.
in this off-season I'm watching the 2016 season and I'm loving Sainz and Verstappen together. I think he'd do well, but I also don't think he's happy being the #2 driver.
In my perfect world we'd get Nando at RB for a season or two before retirement. It'd be so nice to see the master in the best car before he leaves the grid. The good news is that Nando's still got another 35 years on his career to go :)
to be fair, hard not to be squelched by Verstappen no matter which team you're on... the memes about the races being more interesting if you just tape a piece of paper on the screen to cover P1 are real.
Does anyone on the grid seem poised to take Hamilton's place at Mercedes? Certainly Russell will take up a "first driver" position, but I'm rather interested on what this means for Mercedes. Personally, I think they might pull a McLaren and have two young drivers (Albon maybe?) instead of giving Bottas a call.
Although I feel like they "could" bet on a rookie, their programme is still "in its early days", and the only one that feels like they might be ready for F1 in 2025 is Vesti, and that would leave a sour taste afterwards, since that might just displace Antonelli, who is touted as the next great thing.