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Respect to Hamilton for daring to make the switch to Ferrari
For the second time in his career, Lewis Hamilton is causing a shockwave in Formula 1. First, he surprised friend and foe with a switch to Mercedes; now, out of nowhere, comes the move to Ferrari. Hamilton is a gem for F1 in that respect.
Formula 1 explodes with Hamilton news
For Formula 1, Hamilton's switch is a dream come true. At a time when Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing dominate the sport, the seven-time world champion leaving Mercedes out of the blue is, of course, a shocker. The fact he is also switching to big rivals Ferrari is particularly spicy.
Therefore, media and fans are feasting on this news, and F1 could use it for a while. Ultimately, after the huge peak in 2021, the sport slumped. Dominance is rarely fun for the neutral spectator, so the sport needs some shaking up again. Especially considering that Silly Season for 2024 was particularly dull, with exactly the same names in the cars as in Abu Dhabi 2023.
The news alone is a stunt, but Hamilton's switch will also create more interest at the start of the season. Whereas you knew what to expect from Hamilton at Mercedes, seeing how he will do at a new team will be fun. Will he manage to bring Ferrari back to the top?
Why Hamilton deserves respect for this switch
Yet it is not just a publicity stunt, as it is also a special sporting challenge Hamilton is taking on. The Briton could have driven at Mercedes for many more years and then retired as a seven-time world champion. He is taking a big risk by moving to a new team.
It is extraordinary to see Hamilton daring to take on this challenge at the age of 39. Not only will a new team take getting used to, but his new teammate also poses a big challenge. Charles Leclerc is still considered a great talent, is only 26 years old, and is also Ferrari's golden boy. Of course, Hamilton is the big man, but Leclerc also got a multi-year deal from Ferrari and will fight hard for his place within the team.
That Hamilton dares to take on this challenge also says enough about his confidence in Mercedes' project: there is none. Hamilton signed on as recently as 2023 because he indicated that Mercedes is still a team that can fight for the title. It seems that in 2023 and with the new 2024 car in the simulator, Hamilton has realised that Mercedes will not take a step forward.
Time will tell whether it will be a success. Anyone now comparing his switch from McLaren to Mercedes is completely missing the point. The fact that Hamilton gambled well then does not mean that his move to Ferrari immediately means Ferrari will become world champion. However, it speaks for Hamilton that he dares to take up this challenge because one thing has long been clear: Lewis did not have to do it for the money.