Mercedes Prepared to Compromise Performance to Keep Secrets From Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari move for 2025 could very well change the dynamic he has with Mercedes. Despite 2024 being his 12th season with the Silver Arrows, Hamilton’s departure will force the hand of the team to start alienating him. Ex-F1 driver, Martin Brundle believes that Mercedes will stop inviting the 39-year-old to strategy meetings and will keep him in the dark about crucial aspects of the car to protect their secrets from Ferrari in the future.

Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Brundle explained, “Lewis [Hamilton] will stop being invited to meetings, will not what’s going on with development of the car, in the simulator.” Brundle even suggests that consciously or subconsciously, Mercedes will end up favoring George Russell over the Briton. “They’ve got to,” concluded the Briton.

Keeping the best future interests of the team in mind, this makes sense. On the other hand, the driver they would be pushing aside is Hamilton, one of the best ever. The seven-time world champion’s inputs and insights on development could be significant, and help them make strides this season. Mercedes opting out of it could have major ramifications in terms of their performance this year, and beyond.

Mercedes have a tough call to make with “emotional” Lewis Hamilton
Despite sealing an iconic $400 million move with Ferrari for 2025, Hamilton is committed to giving his all to Mercedes one last time. At the W15 launch event, Hamilton revealed just how much of an emotional rollercoaster the last few weeks have been for him.

Hamilton said (as quoted by Sports Illustrated), “It’s obviously been emotional. It’s very surreal to be here, given that I came here in 2013 – 11 years with the team, starting my 12th.” Naturally, he would want to end his Mercedes career with that elusive 8th title in the bag.