Hamilton COTA
Article
© XPBimages
A key detail behind Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has been revealed, by the author of new book ‘Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane’.
Hamilton has just three races remaining as a Mercedes driver, before embarking on one of the biggest moves in the history of the pinnacle of motorsport.
It was announced earlier this year on February 1 that the 39-year-old will partner Charles Leclerc at Ferrari next season, completing a childhood dream of the seven-time world champion’s.
The 105-time race winner’s move was a bombshell, which left him facing an entire campaign knowing it would be his last with the Silver Arrows.
Author of the book, Matt Whyman, has revealed what the atmosphere was like at the Brackley-based team the first time Hamilton was seen by them all following the big news.
“Soon after the announcement was the shakedown for the W15 at Silverstone. That was the first chance that pretty much the whole team got to see Lewis,” Whyman told Mirror Sport.
“It was a strange atmosphere for about 30 seconds, I would say – but as soon as he got in the car it was business as usual.
“People came to terms with it and I think people understood his reasons, which are very simple, really.”
Hamilton retirement plan
Based on the recent form of Ferrari, moving to the Maranello-based team is looking like an excellent decision by Hamilton.
He has endured a difficult campaign with Mercedes, with the clear highlight being his victory at the British Grand Prix.
Mercedes has again struggled to maintain an upward trajectory, and has taken steps backwards since winning three out of four races before the summer break.
However, performance is not the sole reason of Hamilton’s move, with it being revealed that the veteran does not want to get to the end of his career and regret not taking an opportunity.
Whyman continued: “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?’
“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’.”
