Lewis Hamilton has argued that his impending switch to Ferrari’s Formula 1 team in 2025 doesn’t need “vindicating” amid its contrasting fortunes versus Mercedes.
Ferrari announced on the eve of the campaign that it has signed Lewis Hamilton for next term, with the Briton activating an exit clause in his existing Mercedes deal.
The Italian marque has since sustained an impressive start to the season to emerge as Red Bull’s most consistent contender with podiums in all four rounds to date.
However, Mercedes has endured a disastrous opening with its own revised car concept, with 34 points marking its worst return at this stage of a season since 2011.
But when asked whether those respective competitive levels had proven he was right to make the move, Hamilton retorted that he needed validation from other people.
“Well, I don’t feel like I need my decision vindicating,” he said. “I think I know what’s right for me, and that hasn’t changed since the moment that I made the decision.
“There’s not been a moment where I’ve questioned it, and I’m not swayed by other people’s comments.
“Even today, there’s people continuing to talk s**t, and it will continue on for the rest of the year.
“And I’ll have to just do what I did in the previous time. Only you can know what was right for you. And it will be an exciting time for me.”
Hamilton had expressed during his title-winning dominance with Mercedes that he did not retain the desire to replicate Kimi Raikkonen and race on into his 40s in F1.
However, the seven-time champion will turn 40 ahead of his debut Ferrari season and he has admitted that he intends to preserve his racing career for a while longer.
“I never thought that I’d be racing into my 40s,” he conceded.
“I’m pretty sure I said I wouldn’t go into my 40s racing, but I think it’s such a crazy trip, life, that I don’t feel like I’m nearly 40 years old. I feel really young still.”
He added: “I am going to be racing for quite some time still. So, it’s definitely good that he’s still around, I hope that he keeps going for a little bit longer as well.”
Despite penning a multi-term deal with Ferrari, Hamilton will not take over the mantle as the oldest driver on the grid amid the news that Fernando Alonso will remain.
The Spaniard, 43, elected to renew his Aston Martin contract and will continue with the Silverstone-based squad as it enters the sport’s wholesale regulation overhaul.
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