George Russell sends Lewis Hamilton 13-word message after Mercedes announcement

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George Russell has now sent Lewis Hamilton a 13-word message after Mercedes and Ferrari announced the seven-time F1 champion is moving teams for the 2025 season.

The Silver Arrows broke the news on Thursday evening that Hamilton will leave the Brackley-based team after 2024. Hamilton has agreed to replace Carlos Sainz racing for Ferrari beside Charles Leclerc from next year. Sainz was out of contract in Maranello at the end of this year.

Hamilton has driven for Mercedes since the 2013 season and has won six of his seven world championships yet for the German automotive giants. Mercedes also powered the McLaren cars that Hamilton drove between 2007 and 2012, including his first F1 title winner in 2008.

Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes for Ferrari after the 2024 season

Mercedes are now on the search for Hamilton’s replacement after the 39-year-old triggered an escape clause in the contract he only agreed to sign in August. The Silver Arrows moved to lock the Briton and Russell down with fresh terms through to the end of the 2025 season.

Russell joined Hamilton at Mercedes in 2022 after three seasons with Williams. The 25-year-old also finished the 2022 campaign ahead of Hamilton in the drivers’ standings. He scored 275 points for P4 in 2022 and won the Sao Paulo GP. Hamilton took 240 points to claim P6.

Hamilton had the better of Russell in 2023 as neither Mercedes driver won a race. He scored 234 points last season which was enough for P3, compared to his compatriot in P8 with 175. Hamilton was the best non-Red Bull driver with Leclerc (206) in P5 and Sainz (200) only P7.

George Russell messages Lewis Hamilton about his F1 team switch

Now, 2024 will mark Hamilton’s final year racing for Mercedes ahead of joining Ferrari come the winter. Russell has also now reacted to the news of Hamilton’s departure, noting that it has been ‘special’ to share the Mercedes garage and expressing his desire for a strong year.

“It’s been special racing alongside you,” Russell told Hamilton in a message posted on his X account. “Let’s make this season one to remember.”

Hamilton beat Russell 15-7 in their Grand Prix results head-to-head battle at Mercedes over 2023. The 103-time Grand Prix winner also edged his one-time race-winning teammate with six podiums over two. Russell beat Hamilton 4-2 in Sprints and they tied 11-all in qualifying.