Mercedes driver George Russell has sent Lewis Hamilton an emotional message ahead of his move to Ferrari.
On Thursday the news broke that Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari from Mercedes ahead of the 2025 F1 season, arguably the biggest move the sport has ever seen.
Hamilton signed a new contract with Mercedes last summer, but it has been reported that he activated an escape clause allowing him to leave after the 2024 season.
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Hamilton has won the Formular One World Drivers' Championship six times since joining Mercedes in 2013, and since 2022 he has raced alongside teammate George Russell.
At just 25 years old Russell is one of the youngest drivers in Formula One, but he has learned an awful lot from 39-year-old Hamilton.
Despite Mercedes enduring disappointing 2022 and 2023 seasons, Russell sent Hamilton a heartfelt message after learning of his decision to make the switch to Ferrari.
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"It's been special racing alongside you @lewishamilton," Russell captioned an Instagram post including two photos of the duo. "Let's make this season one to remember."
Speaking on his move, Hamilton admitted that he is "so proud" of the success he has achieved with Mercedes.
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"Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old," Hamilton said.
"It's a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make.
"But the time is right for me to take this step and I'm excited to be taking on a new challenge.
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"We have never been hungrier to win. We have learnt from every success but also every setback. We continue to chase our dreams, we continue to fight no matter the challenge and we will win again.
"I’m grateful to the team who have supported me both on and off the track. Our story isn’t finished, we are determined to achieve more together and we won’t stop until we do.”
Hamilton will partner Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, meaning the 2024 season will be Carlos Sainz's last with the team.
In a statement published on X, Sainz said: "Following today’s news, Scuderia Ferrari and myself will part ways at the end of 2024.
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"We still have a long season ahead of us and, like always, I will give my absolute best for the team and for the tifosi all around the world."
The 2024 F1 season will begin with the Bahrain Grand Prix in March.
Topics: Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Formula 1, Mercedes, George Russell