Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has got every sports fan on his toes with a shocking switch to Ferrari for the 2025 season. He dumped the two-year extension contract with Mercedes to live his childhood dream of driving a red car. Lewis will partner up with Charles Leclerc from the 2025 season onwards.
Having said that, Lewis Hamilton’s imminent switch to Ferrari has reignited the driver’s movement market ahead of the 2025 season. Amid this, the British driver’s ex-teammate Valtteri Bottas shared his honest reaction to Lewis’ sudden change of heart. And also weighed on the possibility of a potential return to Mercedes as Hamilton’s teammate.
Valtteri Bottas Excited To Witness Escalated Driver Market Movement In The Aftermath of Lewis Hamilton-Ferrari Tie-Up
Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season to join forces with Ferrari in 2023. That leaves a vacant seat at the Silver Arrows, thus triggering an escalation in the F1 driver’s market movement. Meanwhile, Sauber driver and ex-teammate of Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, opened up about the possibility of a reunion with the Brackley-based team. At the car launch event, Bottas first reacted to Lewis’ shocking switch to Ferrari. He said he didn’t imagine Lewis could ever leave Mercedes. Also, Bottas was kind of taken aback by the timing of the move, considering the Briton signed a two-year extension contract just five months ago. Regardless, Valtteri was happy for his ex-mate.
Valtteri Bottas added that Lewis Hamilton made a sound decision by jumping ships to Ferrari. He has that motivation to bring Ferrari back to the top, which could also result in his record eighth championship. Further speaking on his future plans, Bottas said his current priority is to secure a seat at Sauber ahead of the Audi takeover in 2026. Notably, Valtteri has been with Sauber since George Russell replaced him at Mercedes in 2022. Having said that, the Audi seat is currently hot in the market. Carlos Sainz is reportedly planning to stake a claim. Thus, Valtteri is aware that he could lose his Sauber seat in the near future. If this does not happen, the Finn is ready to move to any available team whatsoever. “There’s no team that I wouldn’t go [to] perhaps. I know my priorities, and I’ve got my list,” said Bottas.
Toto Wolff Gearing Up To Embrace George Russell As New Leader At Mercedes
Meanwhile, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has already moved on from Lewis Hamilton. In a candid interview, Wolff said the timing is perfect for 25-year-old George Russell to take over as the lead driver of Silver Arrows. The former Williams driver has the potential to bring glory to Mercedes in the near future.
Having said that, as far as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton is concerned, the Austrian is still undecided. Apparently, Toto Wolff was caught off guard by the Briton’s sudden switch. And regrets missing out on the likes of Charles Leclerc or Lando Norris, who signed extension contracts with respect teams just a week ago.
Stay tuned to Sports News International for more such news and updates about Mercedes and your favorite F1 team.
