Lewis Hamilton sent shockwaves through the entire F1 paddock after signing a deal with Ferrari. Since then, things have been tense between him and Mercedes management. Although they try to present themselves as if nothing is wrong, their remarks suggest otherwise.
However, as the season progresses, Mercedes will eventually exclude Hamilton from future discussions to protect their confidential information, especially since he will join a rival team next season. While Hamilton has not yet experienced this exclusion, he understands that it is inevitable.
Lewis Hamilton Acknowledges The Inevitable As Potential Ferrari Move Looms
As the current Formula 1 season progresses, Lewis Hamilton is becoming increasingly aware of the inevitable changes to his role within the Mercedes team. Speaking at Silverstone last weekend, Hamilton acknowledged the shifting dynamics, as reported by Motorsport Week. Hamilton emphasized that, despite the ongoing season, he hasn’t been excluded from any meetings. He remains actively involved in efforts to improve the car’s performance. “We’re still working on this car and trying to get the car to the front,” he stated, highlighting the collaborative nature of his current relationship with the team.
However, Hamilton, a seasoned 39-year-old veteran, understands the typical practices in Formula 1. He recognizes that departing drivers are often gradually removed from sensitive information to safeguard the team’s intellectual property. He remarked, “If there’s a point where they’re like, we’re preferring not to be in this meeting, that’s totally fine with me.”
Moreover, the Briton is pragmatic about the situation, acknowledging that it is a standard part of the sport. He explained that any information he receives this year would not impact next year, as there is no ongoing communication regarding future developments. “Nothing passes hands until I start the season next year. And it takes time to develop things,” he added, indicating his acceptance of the inevitable transition.
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon Sounds Confident Despite Being In A Similar Dilemma
Esteban Ocon, who is anticipated to join Haas next season, finds himself in a situation similar to that of Lewis Hamilton. The Frenchman hopes to stay as involved as possible with his current team, Alpine, for the remainder of the season.
Ocon acknowledged that he won’t be focusing on next year’s car development. Despite this, he noted that he hasn’t been excluded from any team meetings thus far. He emphasized the importance of his ongoing contributions, suggesting that the team would miss out on valuable feedback if his input were reduced by half. Ocon expressed his desire to remain fully engaged, hoping that his involvement will continue as the season progresses.
