Despite being in his last season with Mercedes before moving to Ferrari the following season, Lewis Hamilton still has a soft spot for the team.

Before the 2024 season even started, Lewis Hamilton finalized his surprise transfer to Ferrari for the next year. After nearly 12 years together, the 39-year-old will be leaving the Silver Arrows. Many conjectured that Mercedes’ declining physical state was the cause of the unexpected departure. The seven-time world champion, however, has addressed the speculations and declared his love for Mercedes.

Ferrari-oriented In 2024, Lewis Hamilton’s struggles stemmed from Mercedes’ declining performance during the ground-effect era persisted. The 39-year-old has yet to finish on the podium in any of the major races. Nevertheless, Hamilton insisted that despite his poor performance, his heart belonged to Mercedes. The British player also made it clear that he wanted to continue improving things with the German company this year.

“Right now my heart’s still with Mercedes and I really want to continue to deliver and lift them up, That’s not only my job, but my desire this year.”

Hamilton was dedicated to the team and proud of the work the group had accomplished thus far, even in the face of challenges. The British player expressed his aspirations for his performance to get “better” as the season progressed. The 39-year-old, meanwhile, refrained from asserting that the season could get any worse than it already was. Therefore, only time will tell how Lewis Hamilton’s final Mercedes season turns out.

“And as difficult as it’s been, we still rally together and I’m really proud of everyone that I’m working with. And I’m really hoping that the year gets better. I don’t want to say it can’t get worse, but I definitely think we will improve.”

According to Lewis Hamilton, he isn’t “in touch” with Ferrari. 

Lewis Hamilton should have been in contact with the Scuderia a year before to the transfer. Hamilton did admit, though, that he had not been in communication with Ferrari before to the decision. The British driver asserted that despite merely observing the team from a distance, he still gave Mercedes’ victory priority.

“I’m not actually in touch with the team [Ferrari], I observe from afar, but the full focus is on how can we [Mercedes] beat them right now. How can we win. So that’s where all my energy is going.”

Aside from this, the seven-time world champion predicted that he would switch teams in the upcoming season because he had never seen such a circumstance while still on a team. Hamilton consequently stated that he was thrilled to be part of the Mercedes team for the time being and to be working with Ferrari in Formula 1. The 39-year-old also stated that his unexpected late-career decision was well received by his admirers.

“I’ve never been in this situation before, so it’s a unique scenario, On one side, I’m really excited for turning up and working with my guys, and then I’m excited for the future at the same time. And also, just in terms of how fans have responded, it’s been great, because I’m kind of mingling with fans from both teams.”

The 2024 season for Lewis Hamilton hasn’t at all gone as planned. The 39-year-old consistently misses out on opportunities to defend his title. Mercedes plans to make significant in-season improvements in an attempt to outperform the rival. As it stands, if Brackley doesn’t do well, they might even lose to McLaren in the constructors’ title.