What Mercedes have said about Lewis Hamilton driving for Ferrari in post-season Abu Dhabi test

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Lewis Hamilton will say goodbye to Mercedes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in exactly two months’ time. In surely the biggest driver transfer F1 has ever seen, he’s heading to Ferrari for 2025.

Hamilton surprised Toto Wolff by announcing his impending exit before the season had started. He was able to opt out of the second year of his contract as per the agreement reached in 2023.

This has created a rather awkward situation for Mercedes. They will be forever grateful to Hamilton, who won six drivers’ titles and helped to deliver eight consecutive constructors’ championships during his 11-year spell at Brackley.

Hamilton is single-handedly responsible for 84 of their 128 Grand Prix victories. Nico Rosberg is second on that list with 23, while Valtteri Bottas edges out Juan-Manuel Fangio (10 vs eight).

The 39-year-old is also the only driver to pass 200 race starts with one team. Michael Schumacher, a former Mercedes driver himself, previously held the record with 180 for Ferrari.

Equally, though, he’s about to join one of their main rivals. Hamilton may no longer be involved in certain Mercedes meetings, with the team likely to impose growing limitations on his access as he nears the exit.

Mercedes block Lewis Hamilton from driving for Ferrari in Abu Dhabi test

A report in Brazil recently claimed that Ferrari could field Hamilton in the Abu Dhabi test. There will be a single day of running at Yas Marina on the Tuesday after the season concludes.

In the past, teams and drivers have used this as an acclimatisation session after making moves in the market. Red Bull allowed Pierre Gasly to drive for Alpine in 2022 ahead of his move, while Oscar Piastri featured for McLaren after replacing Daniel Ricciardo.

But there won’t be a repeat this time, according to Andrew Benson of BBC Sport. There is ‘zero’ chance of them giving Hamilton the greenlight.

They say he ‘cannot’ test for Ferrari because he’s still under contract. There will be ‘a lot of promotional and farewell’ work to do before that deal expires at the end of the calendar year.

What Susie Wolff thinks about Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari

David Coulthard has called Lewis Hamilton the ‘GOAT’, and so it will be fascinating to see how Mercedes cope in his absence next season. George Russell is poised to become the senior presence in the garage alongside teenager Kimi Antonelli.

Hamilton is the most decorated driver in F1 history and has taken part in 350 Grands Prix. Mercedes have harnessed his experience and winning mentality in the last decade, and Ferrari will hope to do the same.

While sad to see her dear friend go, Susie Wolff is excited by Hamilton’s Ferrari move. She says it will be ‘iconic’ to see him donning scarlet red next year.

Given Mercedes’ stance, F1 fans can expect their first glimpse of Hamilton in a Ferrari car at the pre-season test in Bahrain at the end of February. He may also take to their private Fiorano test track before that date.