Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Ferrari, Formula 1
Ryan Smart
Lewis Hamilton has revealed what members of his Mercedes team did the day after his move to Ferrari was announced.
The Scuderia confirmed in February 2024 that the seven-time world champion would join the team on a 'multi-year contract' from 2025.
Hamilton had, to that point, spent his entire F1 career racing under Mercedes power with the German works team and previously McLaren.
Rumours surrounding his Mercedes departure came as a surprise to many as he had recently agreed a contract extension with the Silver Arrows in November 2023.
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That deal, however, was a one-year extension with a team option to carry it into 2025.
Hamilton's contract with Ferrari covers at least the 2025 and 2026 season, and he is aiming to win a record-breaking eighth world title.
That journey begins at the Bahrain International Circuit this week, with pre-season testing taking place.
Hamilton was second in the timing charts on Thursday, though times are not yet particularly representative as each team has been completing their own testing programmes with different fuel loads and engine modes.
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Prior to the three days of testing, Hamilton took part in an interview with TIME Magazine in which he discussed his departure from Mercedes at length for the first time.
The Brit had previously revealed that he broke the news of his exit to members of his team on a paintballing trip - as he wanted to tell them before news broke in the media.
And while there was understandably a tinge of sadness among his team upon hearing the news, Hamilton has recalled the first thing they did afterwards.
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"These are guys I've been with for so many years," he began.
"They lit me up [with the paintballs], hard. It was so painful."
Hamilton revealed that he was later hit from behind by a member of his own paintballing team, and said: "Freaking guy."
"There is no bad blood. Absolutely not. We won so many championships. They have all the ingredients to win world championships, and they will win more world championships. I have no doubt."