Lewis Hamilton’s decision to leave McLaren and join Mercedes ahead of the 2013 Formula 1 season shocked the racing community, marking a pivotal moment in the sport’s recent history. The British world champion chose to depart from the Woking-based McLaren team, influenced by Ron Dennis, to join Mercedes, a team then still struggling to establish itself in F1.
At the time, many questioned whether this leap would benefit Hamilton’s career, as Mercedes was not yet the dominant force it would later become. Before his first race with Mercedes, Hamilton explained his reasoning for the move, revealing the personal motivations behind the transfer.
Hamilton’s Personal Drive Behind Joining Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton shared in an interview on the Mercedes team‘s official website that the switch was motivated by the desire for a fresh challenge. He emphasized a strong emotional connection to the decision, driven by both excitement and ambition.
“It was a feeling that I had; I wanted something new. I was excited to work with new people and enter a team that had struggled. Taking everything that I had learned and saw if I could apply it somewhere else. I was excited by the plans I had heard were being put in place to scale up the Team and go all in to become champions. I went with what I felt in my gut and my heart. It led me to this amazing Team and this incredible journey we are on.”
This gut-driven choice resulted in one of the most successful partnerships in Formula 1 history. Over his tenure with Mercedes, Hamilton secured six additional Drivers’ Championships and numerous race wins, dramatically elevating the team’s status on the global motorsport stage.
The Challenges Behind Hamilton’s Recent Move to Ferrari
In 2024, Hamilton revealed the difficult decision to leave Mercedes after 12 seasons to join Ferrari for the 2025 season. Despite renewing his contract earlier, he eventually chose to embrace a new chapter with the iconic Italian squad.
Reflecting on his departure from Mercedes, Hamilton acknowledged the emotional weight of the choice while recognizing his desire to shape his own narrative within the sport.
“I feel like… it was obviously the hardest decision that I think I’ve ever had to make. Obviously I’ve been with Mercedes for, I think it’s like 26 years they’ve supported me, and we’ve had an absolutely incredible journey together. We’ve created history within the sport, and it’s something I take a lot of pride in, and I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved.
“But I think ultimately I’m writing my story, and I felt like it was time to start a new chapter.”
Early Struggles at Ferrari and What Lies Ahead
Hamilton’s return to Ferrari has not yet met expectations, as the first 14 races of the 2025 season have presented significant challenges for the British driver and his new team. Despite the rough start, Hamilton remains focused on overcoming obstacles as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, Hamilton and Ferrari will turn their attention to the second half of the campaign, beginning with the upcoming Grand Prix in the Netherlands, aiming to regain momentum and improve their competitiveness on the track.
