In an (un)expected move by the British driver, Hamilton leaves McLaren
01 Oct 2012|1,969 views
As posted in our Facebook page, the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team has confirmed that British driver Lewis Hamilton, a McLaren groomed product, has signed a three-year contract starting from the 2013 Formula One season. He will (re)partner his old karting team mate Nico Rosberg, while replacing Michael Schumacher.
"It is now time for me to take on a fresh challenge and I am very excited to begin a new chapter racing for the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team. Mercedes-Benz has such an incredible heritage in motorsport, along with a passion for winning which I share. Together, we can grow and rise to this new challenge. I believe that I can help steer the Silver Arrows to the top and achieve our joint ambitions of winning the world championships," remarked a rather delighted Hamilton.
Mercedes-Benz and McLaren have been a huge influence on Hamilton's career since its earliest days. Hamilton will be just one of four drivers - Juan Manuel Fangio, Mika Hakkinen and Jenson Button, to have won the world championship in a Mercedes-Benz powered racer. With 20 Formula One victories, he matches Mika Hakkinen as the most successful Mercedes-Benz Formula One driver.
The Mercedes team commented that outgoing Schumacher has contributed significantly to the development of the Silver Arrows works team over the past three years, achieving its first modern victory by Nico Rosberg during the Chinese Grand Prix this year besides scoring five further podium finishes to date.
"I have had three nice years with the team which unfortunately did not go as well as we all would have wanted on the sporting side. I wish Lewis well and for the team to achieve the success we worked so hard for in the build-up. I would like to thank the team for their trust and all the guys for their unconditional commitment. I will now concentrate on the next races," commented Michael Schumacher.
While the future of the multiple championship winner is bleak, upcoming talent Sergio Perez from Sauber - a product from the Ferrari driver academy and widely rumoured to replace Felipe Massa, will join McLaren instead to partner Jenson Button.
"On behalf of Mercedes AMG Petronas, I would first of all like to thank Michael Schumacher for the important contribution he has made to the growth of our team over the past three seasons. His energy and commitment have never wavered, even when results have not matched our own expectations, and we are determined to finish the 2012 season together on a high. Looking ahead to 2013, I am delighted to welcome Lewis Hamilton to our team. I believe that the combination of Lewis and Nico will be the most dynamic and exciting pairing on the grid next year, and I am looking forward to what we can achieve together," commented team principal Ross Brawn.
Besides the signing of Hamilton, three-time world champion Niki Lauda will also bring his experience through the role of non-executive chairman on the team's board of directors.
As posted in our Facebook page, the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team has confirmed that British driver Lewis Hamilton, a McLaren groomed product, has signed a three-year contract starting from the 2013 Formula One season. He will (re)partner his old karting team mate Nico Rosberg, while replacing Michael Schumacher.
"It is now time for me to take on a fresh challenge and I am very excited to begin a new chapter racing for the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team. Mercedes-Benz has such an incredible heritage in motorsport, along with a passion for winning which I share. Together, we can grow and rise to this new challenge. I believe that I can help steer the Silver Arrows to the top and achieve our joint ambitions of winning the world championships," remarked a rather delighted Hamilton.
Mercedes-Benz and McLaren have been a huge influence on Hamilton's career since its earliest days. Hamilton will be just one of four drivers - Juan Manuel Fangio, Mika Hakkinen and Jenson Button, to have won the world championship in a Mercedes-Benz powered racer. With 20 Formula One victories, he matches Mika Hakkinen as the most successful Mercedes-Benz Formula One driver.
The Mercedes team commented that outgoing Schumacher has contributed significantly to the development of the Silver Arrows works team over the past three years, achieving its first modern victory by Nico Rosberg during the Chinese Grand Prix this year besides scoring five further podium finishes to date.
"I have had three nice years with the team which unfortunately did not go as well as we all would have wanted on the sporting side. I wish Lewis well and for the team to achieve the success we worked so hard for in the build-up. I would like to thank the team for their trust and all the guys for their unconditional commitment. I will now concentrate on the next races," commented Michael Schumacher.
While the future of the multiple championship winner is bleak, upcoming talent Sergio Perez from Sauber - a product from the Ferrari driver academy and widely rumoured to replace Felipe Massa, will join McLaren instead to partner Jenson Button.
"On behalf of Mercedes AMG Petronas, I would first of all like to thank Michael Schumacher for the important contribution he has made to the growth of our team over the past three seasons. His energy and commitment have never wavered, even when results have not matched our own expectations, and we are determined to finish the 2012 season together on a high. Looking ahead to 2013, I am delighted to welcome Lewis Hamilton to our team. I believe that the combination of Lewis and Nico will be the most dynamic and exciting pairing on the grid next year, and I am looking forward to what we can achieve together," commented team principal Ross Brawn.
Besides the signing of Hamilton, three-time world champion Niki Lauda will also bring his experience through the role of non-executive chairman on the team's board of directors.
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