Ruth Buscombe says one thing was ‘very clear’ when she spoke to Lewis Hamilton before Mercedes exit

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Lewis Hamilton announced he was joining Ferrari even before the 2024 season started. He’s effectively been a lame duck at Brackley alongside George Russell.

Mercedes started the year as F1’s fourth-fastest team before joining the victory fight in the summer. Hamilton ended a two-and-a-half-year drought at Silverstone and then won again in Belgium, albeit after teammate Russell was disqualified for breaching the weight limit.

Since the summer break, the Silver Arrows have regressed again, notching just one podium in the last four races. Even then, Russell was the beneficiary of a late crash involving Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz in Azerbaijan.

In these circumstances, it could be difficult for Hamilton to find motivation. What he truly craves is an eighth world championship – a feat no driver has ever achieved – and he believes a move to Ferrari maximises his chances.

Still, both parties will hope for a fitting end to the partnership. Hamilton has won six of his seven titles to date with Mercedes, making it the most successful combination ever.

Toto Wolff has taken a gamble by signing academy driver Kimi Antonelli as his replacement. The 18-year-old will become the third-youngest driver in F1 history.

Ruth Buscombe insists Lewis Hamilton ‘was not done’ with Mercedes

Speaking on the Track Limits podcast, former Ferrari and Sauber strategist Ruth Buscombe said Hamilton still ‘cares a lot’ about his current team. This was ‘very clear’ after they had a ‘long conversation’ earlier in the season.

The 39-year-old told Buscombe about the upgrades that Mercedes had in the pipeline. A new front wing helped them bridge the gap to the contenders.

Hamilton may no longer be involved in certain Mercedes meetings, especially those pertaining to the 2025 development plan. That’s where Russell will be offering his input.

Hamilton was visibly emotional after winning the British GP on his final Silverstone appearance for Mercedes. Buscombe says that nobody should doubt his commitment to Wolff’s squad.

“When I was chatting to Lewis about the Ferrari one – I was at Ferrari, I know what it was like – I knew a couple of months ago that he cared a lot about winning with Mercedes,” she said. “People can say what they want to say.

“It was very clear to me that he was not done. He’s not just checked out. After that first long conversation I’d had with him a couple of months ago, he was talking about what they were going to bring in terms of upgrades, I knew that he was not cooked.”

Lewis Hamilton’s ‘unprecedented’ impact on ticket sales for the Italian Grand Prix before Ferrari move

While still devoted to his current team, Hamilton will be invigorated by the prospect of joining Ferrari. It’s a dream he’s held throughout his career.

According to his new team principal Fred Vasseur, Hamilton talked about racing Ferrari 20 years ago. He’s spent his entire racing career at British teams but he’ll spend much of time in Maranello from January.

The Ferrari faithful are just as excited. Monza officials have seen ‘unprecedented’ ticket demand following his move, and of course Charles Leclerc’s victory in September.

Before that, Hamilton can realistically aim for one final victory with Mercedes. They have a significant upgrade package on the way for the United States Grand Prix.