The news of Lewis Hamilton’s impending move to Ferrari caused a huge stir across the F1 paddock.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has lifted the lid on how Max Verstappen reacted to the bombshell news that Lewis Hamilton will be joining Ferrari next year. The 39-year-old will leave Mercedes to drive for the Italian outfit in 2025, having signed a multi-year contract
The news of Hamilton’s deal with Ferrari came as a huge surprise, with Toto Wolff admitting that he was only informed about it the day before it was announced. Marko was also left shocked by Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes, but Verstappen reacted in a different way upon hearing that his greatest rival was switching teams.
Marko provided a perspective on the reaction of the Dutchman during an interview with OE24, stating that he found it entertaining. Hamilton has previously stated that he opted to join Ferrari to fulfill a lifelong aspiration, with the British driver aspiring to claim an unprecedented eighth world championship in the renowned red car. Marko further insinuated that Mercedes’ decline in recent years may have significantly influenced Hamilton’s choice to terminate his longstanding association with the team.
“When asked about his own response to the news, Marko also expressed his complete surprise. He described it as a remarkable occurrence, particularly considering the timing. It makes one ponder about the circumstances that led to this.” Ferrari surpassed Mercedes in the latter part of 2023, with McLaren also displaying greater speed. It is possible that Hamilton observed something undisclosed to the public. Despite this, it has no impact on us, although I interpret it as a weakening of Mercedes.
“Whether it strengthens Ferrari remains to be seen. Overall, this has an incredible impact, right down to the stock market prices. It’s great that something is happening.
“Typically, when facing such a scenario, one’s attention is already directed towards the new team. The existing team cannot involve him in any significant breakthroughs as he would naturally bring them along. Overall, this situation is beneficial for sports and surpasses the quality of Netflix.
Hamilton was present when Mercedes unveiled their new W15 challenger on Wednesday. He described his visit to their Brackley headquarters as both emotional and surreal, especially considering the recent announcement of his agreement with Ferrari. “He stated that it was clearly an emotional experience for him.
He also mentioned that being present at this moment felt unreal, especially because he had joined the team in 2013 and it had been 11 years since then. Now, he was beginning his 12th year with the team, and he considered it a great honor to collaborate with a group of individuals who displayed commendable dedication during the winter season.” “Over the past few years, we have been experiencing this progression where we witness the assembly of a car at the start of the year. This truly is the most thrilling aspect of the season.”