Carlos Sainz has broken his silence after being dropped by Ferrari for Lewis Hamilton.
On Thursday it emerged that Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season and join Formula 1 rivals Ferrari on a multi-year deal, in what will be one of the biggest driver transfers the sport has ever seen.
The 39-year-old only signed a two-year deal with Mercedes last summer, yet has chosen to activate a break clause in his contract.
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Hamilton said he was "so proud" of the success he had achieved with Mercedes over the past 11 years.
He said "Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old.
"It's a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make.
"But the time is right for me to take this step and I'm excited to be taking on a new challenge."
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The seven-time world champion’s arrival at Ferrari will signal Sainz’s departure.
But the Spaniard, who claimed Ferrari’s only victory last year in Singapore, insisted he will “give his absolute best” in 2024.
The Spaniard said in a brief statement on X, formally Twitter: “Following today’s news, Scuderia Ferrari and myself will part ways at the end of 2024.
“We still have a long season ahead of us and, like always, I will give my absolute best for the team and for the tifosi all around the world.
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“News about my future will be announced in due course.”
Hamilton is set to partner Charles Leclerc in 2025.
The Brit joined Mercedes from McLaren for the 2013 season and went on to secure six of his seven championships and win 82 of his record 103 races with the Silver Arrows.
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Hamilton said: "I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together.
"I am 100% committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows one to remember."
Topics: Formula 1, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Chris Byfield