Hamilton: Mercedes to Ferrari strange transition at the moment

This is no ordinary farewell. First, the timing of the news was always going to be a hard pill for Mercedes to swallow. The guy they have backed since his early teens, through Karting and feeder series until he stepped up on to the big stage in 2007 with McLaren powered by Mercedes.

The rest is F1 record-breaking history, as the Tri-Star badge has been in his chest for all 104 pole positions, all 103 wins and all seven F1 World titles that 39-year-old Hamilton has on his CV. This was a perfect 'marriage' we all thought.

Until 1 February 2024. That day it all changed. Ferrari confirmed Hamiton would join the team in 2025 to partner Charles Leclerc in the team led by Fred Vasseur. The news shocked the F1 world, but most of all Mercedes. This was not the end they expected.

There is no animosity, no scandal, nothing to trigger the move except a third season of oblivion that has kept Hamilton out of a GP victory since 2021, with no end in sight. Nevertheless, it was a seismic shift in the F1 narrative. And Sir Lewis has yet to suit up in the fabled Red of the Scuderia.

Speaking on CBS News, Hamilton shed light on his mindset in this last year as a Mercedes driver: "For me, this whole journey has been massively emotional. Just because I have so much love for this team.

"I'm not leaving because I'm unhappy there. I'm not leaving because of relationship issues. They've been with me through thick and thin. So, it's definitely a strange transition at the moment," acknowledged the Briton.

It could get stranger as the season progresses as Mercedes gently wrests the #1 driver baton from Hamilton, a status he has held since he joined the Silver Arrows, and hand it to George Russell who will stay to lead the team, with a yet-to-be-decided teammate.

Notably, since the 2022 season, Mercedes have won once with Russell. The Miami Grand Prix marked 51 GPs since Hamilton last won one, Saudi Arabia 2o21. By far the longest he has been winless. These days battles with the likes of Haas duo Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg are highlights of his race days. There was a time he never saw those two unless he was lapping them.

But times have changed, and wins have dried up. Hamilton continued: "We exist to win. And when you're not winning, your perspective has to shift. And it's just then about chasing and it's about improvement. It's about coming together.

"How can we make improvements? How can we get back to where we want to be? And rallying everyone up. I actually really enjoy that experience," insisted Hamilton.

Discussing life goals and aims, Hamilton was asked if he dreamed the impossible, to which he replied: "Getting to Formula 1. Winning a world championship. Having a platform to connect with people in a positive way.

"I never thought that I would be a part of creating more diversity within the sport, within the industry, within companies that I work with. I think you dream as big as you can. And you can have as many dreams as you want, and chase 'em all," declared Hamilton. Ferrari be next!