Official: Hamilton replaces Schumacher at Mercedes
After weeks of never-ending rumors, Mercedes finally announces the arrival of Lewis Hamilton to their team for a duration of three years, replacing Michael Schumacher. The future of the seven-time World Champion is still unknown.
Eddie Jordan had created a buzz before the Italian Grand Prix by announcing that Hamilton was going to leave McLaren to join the Mercedes team in place of Michael Schumacher. Since then, rumors have continued to circulate in the specialized media.
This morning, McLaren caught the German team’s speed by announcing the arrival of Sergio Pérez alongside Jenson Button starting in 2013. The only thing missing was Mercedes’ official announcement regarding Hamilton, which is now done.
The 2008 World Champion will join Nico Rosberg, with whom he teamed up in karting, for three seasons, replacing Michael Schumacher whose future is not yet known.
« It’s time for me to take on a new challenge and I am very excited to start a new chapter of my career with Mercedes. Mercedes-Benz has an incredible legacy in motorsport and a will to win that I share, » states Lewis Hamilton.
While he grew up in the fold of McLaren from a young age, the British driver is leaving the nest and preparing to take on a new challenge of making Mercedes a team capable of winning races and championships. Together, we can grow and take on this new challenge. I believe I can help elevate the Silver Arrows to the top and achieve our common ambition of winning world championships.
On the Mercedes side, we’re obviously sharing this enthusiasm. « I am delighted to welcome Lewis Hamilton to our team. The arrival of a driver of Lewis’s caliber is proof of Mercedes’s commitment to Formula 1, and I am proud that Lewis shares our vision and ambition. I believe the duo of Lewis and Nico will be the most dynamic and exciting on the grid next year, and I look forward to seeing what they can accomplish together, » explains Ross Brawn.
