23 February 2024 , 11:34
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Lewis Hamilton ’s shock move from Mercedes to Ferrari was foreshadowed during the filming of Drive to Survive.
Hamilton announced at the start of February that he had decided to switch teams for the 2025 season following 11 years at Mercedes. Rumours that the seven-time world champion was having doubts had surfaced throughout the 2023 season, but had frequently been denied.
The 39-year-old signed a contract extension with Mercedes in August which was supposed to take him through to the end of the 2025 season. But he ended up jumping ship early after growing frustrated with how far Mercedes have fallen behind their rivals.
Hamilton’s thought process is shown in series six of Drive to Survive, which has now been released on Netflix. One of the illuminating scenes shows Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff discussing the team’s performance with Hamilton.
"For me, personally, when you see the step that Aston Martin made over the winter, show that if we get it right with the concept of the car, the aero and the balance, we can win a championship," Wolff said. "But I don't want to wait until 2026 when we have the new engine regulations."
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Hamilton replied: "Frick, me neither. You can be here for like 20 more years, 30 more years, I can't." Wolff responded: "Well, who says that?”
In another scene Hamilton says, rather ominously: "These are precious years for me. I don't know." Wolff then continues his sales pitch, replying: "Lewis, you're much more than a racing driver, much more than the seven-time world champion. You are one of the people that lead this team forward."
There are some awkward scenes in Drive to Survive involving Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton (Doug Murray/Getty Images)The TV cameras are also present for when Hamilton pens his new contract with the Silver Arrows in a scene which will now make for awkward viewing. “OK, we've had two difficult years but I still have so much belief that Mercedes and all these people in this team have the ability to build a great car,” Hamilton said. “You've just got to take a leap of faith.” He added: “Toto, he's listened. There never feels a time where I'm not going to be a Mercedes driver. It's my home, it's my family.”
Explaining his decision to move to Ferrari, Hamilton said: "I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I'm so proud of what we have achieved together. Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old. It's a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make.
"But the time is right for me to take this step and I'm excited to be taking on a new challenge. I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together.”