A look back through Lewis Hamilton’s F1 career at Mercedes
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Lewis Hamilton makes his first public appearance since his shock move to Ferrari as Mercedes launch their 2024 F1 car on Wednesday morning.
The Silver Arrows, who endured their first winless season since 2011 last year, will be hoping their W15 challenger can this season take the fight to Max Verstappen and Red Bull out in front.
All eyes will be on Hamilton, though, as he embarks on his 12th and final season for Mercedes. The 39-year-old will appear at the launch event at Silverstone alongside team-mate George Russell and team boss Toto Wolff.
McLaren also launch their 2024 car on Wednesday, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri speaking to the press. Red Bull will launch their new car on Thursday, with Christian Horner set to appear despite the current investigation centred on him regarding “inappropriate behaviour.”
Follow all the latest updates with The Independent
MERCEDES 2024 CAR LAUNCH – LATEST UPDATES
Show latest update 1707864115
George Russell reacts to Lewis Hamilton’s shock Mercedes departure
Russell, 25, joined Mercedes from Williams in 2022, and his sole F1 win came in his first season with the Silver Arrows.
Reacting to the news of Hamilton’s eventual departure, Russell tweeted of his fellow Briton on Friday: “It’s been special racing alongside you, @lewishamilton.”
Kieran Jackson13 February 2024 22:41
1707861355
Carlos Sainz admits shock at Lewis Hamilton replacing him at Ferrari
Hamilton, 39, will depart Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season and replace the Spaniard in 2025.
Sainz, speaking for the first time since the blockbuster move was announced, said: “I was a bit surprised, like everyone in the Formula 1 world.
“From my side you can understand I got to know the news a bit earlier than anyone else and I had some weeks to reflect and prepare and some weeks to also get ready for the car launch and the first race of the season.
“That gave me a bit of time to digest it and to draw my own conclusions and to focus on the 2024 season.”
Kieran Jackson13 February 2024 21:55
1707857995
Toto Wolff hints at Mercedes direction in replacing Lewis Hamilton
Wolff spoke to the media a day after Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was announced:
“In the same way we embraced the Nico [Rosberg, retiring suddenly in 2016] situation, I’m looking forward to taking on his challenge with my colleagues. Maybe it’s a chance to do something bold.
“If you’d told me two days ago that Lewis would go to Ferrari I wouldn’t have believed you.
“Things can change quickly. Contracts can change. Who knows what might happen in the driver market.”
Mercedes team principal has no doubts about Lewis Hamilton’s integrity ahead of his move to rivals Ferrari (PA Archive/PA)
(PA Archive)
Kieran Jackson13 February 2024 20:59
1707854275
Lewis Hamilton already in contact with Charles Leclerc ahead of Ferrari switch
Lewis Hamilton has already been in contact with soon-to-be Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc – as Carlos Sainz, the driver forced to make way for the seven-time world champion, revealed the shock switch came out of the blue.
Hamilton, 39, will leave Mercedes at the end of this year after agreeing a blockbuster move to Ferrari in 2025 – the biggest transfer in Formula One history.
Hamilton is set to make his first public appearance since news broke of his decision to quit Mercedes when the Silver Arrows unveil their new car at Silverstone on Wednesday.
Hamilton will appear alongside team principal Toto Wolff and fellow Brit George Russell. On Tuesday, Ferrari took the wraps off the contender they hope will allow them to challenge Red Bull and Max Verstappen when the new season starts in Bahrain next month.
Kieran Jackson13 February 2024 19:57
1707850795
Mercedes F1 2024 car launch: How to watch
The launch event will be live streamed on Mercedes’ YouTube channel, via this link.
Kieran Jackson13 February 2024 18:59
1707848575
Mercedes F1 2024 car launch: What time does launch event start?
The launch event is scheduled to start at 10:15am (GMT).
It will be live streamed from Silverstone on Mercedes’ YouTube and social media channels.
We will hear from Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff and George Russell.
Kieran Jackson13 February 2024 18:22
1707848263
Mercedes F1 2024 car launch – latest: Lewis Hamilton set to make first public appearance since Ferrari move
The Silver Arrows, who endured their first winless season since 2011 last year, will be hoping their W15 challenger can this season take the fight to Max Verstappen and Red Bull out in front.
All eyes will be on Hamilton, though, as he embarks on his 12th and final season for Mercedes. The 39-year-old will appear at the launch event at Silverstone alongside team-mate George Russell and team boss Toto Wolff.
McLaren also launch their 2024 car on Wednesday, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri speaking to the press. Red Bull will launch their new car on Thursday, with Christian Horner set to appear despite the current investigation centred on him regarding “inappropriate behaviour.”
(PA)
Kieran Jackson13 February 2024 18:17
