Verstappen Reacts to Hamilton’s Move to Ferrari: “Not Surprised, but Awkward Timing”
Max Verstappen, reigning Formula 1 champion, has weighed in on Lewis Hamilton’s upcoming move to Ferrari, describing the timing of the announcement as “awkward” while asserting that he was “not surprised” by the decision.
Hamilton’s bombshell revelation, made two weeks ago, sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, signaling the end of his illustrious 12-year tenure with Mercedes. The seven-time world champion will transition to Ferrari for the 2025 season, partnering with Charles Leclerc and leaving Carlos Sainz without a seat.
Speaking at Red Bull’s 2024 F1 car launch, Verstappen addressed the morale within the team amidst ongoing scrutiny surrounding Christian Horner’s conduct. However, his focus shifted to Hamilton’s move, expressing understanding but acknowledging the potential awkwardness of the timing.
Verstappen noted that while Hamilton’s move to Ferrari wasn’t unexpected given his aspirations, the premature announcement during the early stages of the season could create challenges for Mercedes. The Dutch driver emphasized the professionalism required to navigate such transitions within the sport.
“The only thing for me was I think that it was a little bit leaked of course and then they had to announce it. Because to announce something that big that early in the season – for sure for the rest of the year [it] is a bit awkward even though you have had a lot of success together as a team, you can’t be included in everything anymore.
Despite the shift in dynamics, Verstappen highlighted the enduring respect and support for Hamilton within the Mercedes team, recognizing his monumental contributions. However, he acknowledged the inevitable limitations in sharing certain aspects of team operations with a departing driver.
“For sure he [Lewis] has a great relationship with everyone [at Mercedes] and Toto,” Verstappen said. “But Toto knows and Toto will tell him at some point ‘we’ve had a lot of success, but you can’t be part of meetings anymore’.
Regarding his own future, Verstappen reiterated his commitment to Red Bull, dismissing speculation about a potential move to Ferrari. With a contract in place until 2028, Verstappen affirmed his focus on achieving success with his current team.
As the countdown to the new F1 season begins, all eyes will be on Verstappen as he aims to defend his title, with the Bahrain Grand Prix set to kick off the action on March 2nd.
