Mercedes website crashes as the German team finally confirms that Lewis Hamilton is to leave at the end of the coming season.

The brief statement, issued at a day of intense speculation, doesn't reveal where the seven-time world champion is heading but the anticipated statement from Ferrari should sort that out.

According to Mercedes, Hamilton has activated a release option in the contract announced last August and this season will therefore be his last driving for the Silver Arrows.

The news brings an end to what is currently a 17-year long relationship in F1 with Mercedes-Benz and an 11-year long partnership with the works team. Every single one of the Briton's F1 wins has been powered by a Mercedes engine.

"In terms of a team-driver pairing, our relationship with Lewis has become the most successful the sport has seen," said Toto Wolff, "and that's something we can look back on with pride; Lewis will always be an important part of Mercedes motorsport history. However, we knew our partnership would come to a natural end at some point, and that day has now come.

"We accept Lewis's decision to seek a fresh challenge, and our opportunities for the future are exciting to contemplate. But for now, we still have one season to go, and we are focused on going racing to deliver a strong 2024."

"I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I'm so proud of what we have achieved together," added Hamilton. "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. I am 100% committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Rock Doc, 03/02/2024 4:26

"I thought the move to Merc was wrong last time. 6 World championships showed me I was wrong.

I think this is move to Ferrari is wrong. Ferrari are quick but seem so disorganized. The Drivers last year did not seem to trust the team at times. I'm guessing Lewis may prove me wrong again.

But I am sure Charles will not be happy. Lewis will be much more of a challenge than Carlos was.

I hope Carlos gets a good seat for 2025, his win in 2023 was amazing. Let's face it the ink is probably dry already on the Audi contact. Now that I say it I'm probably wrong about that as well ...

"

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2. Posted by meatball, 02/02/2024 16:52

"Toto needs to have a long look in the mirror. He MAY be a good businessman but he's not the superstar F1 team boss he thought he was. They'll have to rebuild or sell. George is not the "face of a team" nor the racer Ham is. "

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3. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 02/02/2024 9:16

"I guess this "get out clause" was possibly why there where all those delays with the contract negotiations, the speculation now starts with who replaces Lewis."

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4. Posted by Simon in Adelaide, 01/02/2024 21:11

"Being in South Australia I can definitely hear the sound of paper shredders chewing on F1 driver contracts.

Chris, you might as well start the 'Who goes Where in 2025' page now, there is probably only 3 names for certain."

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5. Posted by ARL, 01/02/2024 20:49

"Liberty's script writers now in overdrive......Alonso to M-B for a shock 2025 run at his third championship with Guenther Steiner running the pitwall radios whenever Fernando comes up behind Lewis?

You read it first on Pitpass. :)"

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6. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 01/02/2024 19:44

"As I posted below the previous article, the response from Mercedes will be interesting. How will the team dynamics change for 2024? Will the team step up to prove a point? Will Hamilton want to reward them with 100% commitment or will he already be seeing red? I’m hoping it’ll be like Senna’s final season with McLaren in 1993 - a fitting way to round off one of the greatest ever driver/team combinations. "

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7. Posted by ARL, 01/02/2024 19:32

"Congratulations to Lewis for maintaining my 100% record in misreading his career moves!

For those suggesting he is jumping ship prematurely after a couple of bad years, a reminder that Fangio always moved to whoever he felt would give him the best chance of a championship.

Good luck for his overdue 8th championship, and maybe a turn on the fashion catwalks of Italy."

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Official: Hamilton and Mercedes to "part ways"

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