01 March 2024 , 07:00
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Lewis Hamilton has been tipped to end his Mercedes career with a race win as the Silver Arrows face a defining year in their search for a new driver.
The Brit has announced he will leave the Silver Arrows after more than a decade to make a stunning move to Ferrari. Six of his seven world titles have been won with the German team, who signed him from McLaren back in 2012 before going on to dominate the sport.
Whilst at Mercedes Hamilton has won 82 races - adding to the 21 he won at McLaren. He's not tasted victory since taking the chequered flag in Saudi Arabia back in 2021 with Mercedes falling down the pecking order. Sky Sports' Simon Lazenby believes we will see a fairytale ending to his story with the team however and has backed Hamilton to nab another race win this season.
He told Mirror Sport: "I do actually (think he'll win a race), I think it would be a nice little end to his time there and it would be fitting. There's a lot of positivity with what Mercedes have produced compared to the last couple of years. We kind of knew they would change their rear suspension and they've kind of mirrored Red Bull.
"I think if they've got it right, and they more often than not have got it right, then he's got every chance of stealing one from under Red Bull's nose. I think there's a chance for him to pinch one and it would be a great story."
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Mercedes will race for a season knowing that Hamilton is heading for pastures new. The team have enjoyed great continuity since returning to the sport in 2010. Throughout that time they've only had five drivers but will be on the lookout once again this season.
Russell performance holds key to next Merc driver
George Russell was promoted from Williams back in 2022 and has taken Mercedes' only win over the past two seasons. Last term though he was regularly beaten by Hamilton, taking just the one podium to his team-mate's five.
Russell is a Formula 3 champion and has been tipped for big things but must prove he can assume the role of team leader once Hamilton leaves for Maranello. The 26-year-old from King's Lynn has continued to have the faith of the team and its boss, Toto Wolff.
George Russell will be under pressure to prove he can take on a lead role with Mercedes (Getty Images)A below par season however could force the team to edge away from youth, with Andrea Antonelli one of their prodigies touted for a driver, and instead lean towards an experienced head which could see Fernando Alonso become an option as the Spaniard continues to perform.
Lazenby claimed: "It is massively important for George Russell - he was convincingly beaten by his team-mate last year, when Lewis was on form last year George struggled to keep up. He needs to step up now and have a season to show he can lead Mercedes forward as a race winner and championship contender.
"Otherwise they have some decisions to make - Andrea Antonelli is waiting in the wings. If George doesn't show he can live with Mercedes in the first-half of the year then could that force the team to bring in Alonso or somebody more experienced as they transition into the 2026 rule change. They'll do everything they can to help George this year and, unless Lewis is in a title fight, they'll have one eye on the future."
Ferrari 'not convinced' by Leclerc
Hamilton is likely to head to Ferrari as a seven-time world champion, seeking the eighth title which would set him apart from Michael Schumacher in the record books. The Scuderia haven't won the drivers' title since Kimi Raikkonen did so in 2007. They've had nearer misses with the likes of Felipe Massa, Alonso and Sebastian Vettel in the past. Leclerc has risen through their academy and has long been tipped as a potential world champion having joined the team back in 2019.
Charles Leclerc will be joined at Ferrari by Lewis Hamilton next season (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)In that time the driver from Monaco has taken 23 pole positions and won seven races but failed to mount a charge for a world title, albeit Ferrari have struggled to produce the necessary package across the season.
Nevertheless Lazenby isn't convinced that Ferrari see Leclerc as their long-term option and maintains that a year driving alongside Hamilton will either show that the 26-year-old has the metal, or that he may continue to fall short.
"Maybe this is controversial, but I'm not 100 percent sure that Ferrari are convinced Charles is the future," said Lazenby. "They know Lewis can win races and championships. If they 100 percent believed in Charles, would they have made this move? Maybe, because of what it does for the brand.
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"They are desperate to win again and I think Charles makes too many mistakes on a Sunday, but with Lewis you know what you'll get. Next year will be the making or the breaking of Charles Leclerc - yes he's been the golden child in recent years but Lewis is Lewis."
Lazenby was also quizzed on his favourite track on the calendar, which extends to 24 races in 2024. "Greatest track, there's lots to choose from. As a Brit, love going to Silverstone. Spa and Suzuka are up there in terms of pure racing. But for me it is Interlagos, I just love going there, the passion of the Brazilian people. Also it is in a bowl and you can see it all unfold, there's so many challenge conditions. Go back in 2016 and Verstappen and that drive in the wet - that was when we knew he was special."
The Greatest Track on Earth has been created to celebrate the 2024 Formula 1 season starting 29 February, live and exclusive on Sky Sports F1 and NOW. Find out more at skysports.com.