Lewis Hamilton is leaving McLaren for Mercedes -- in a move that
could mean Michael Schumacher is leaving Formula 1, this time for good.
Mercedes announced Friday that Hamilton will join its team next
season, replacing seven-time champion Schumacher in a major shakeup that
also sees Sergio Perez going to McLaren.
It marks a big change for both F1 and Hamilton, who has been at
McLaren throughout his career but was lured over by a lucrative offer
from Mercedes, which the British team was unwilling to match. He will
team up with Nico Rosberg next season on a three-year contract.
For Schumacher, it could mark the end of the greatest career the
sport has seen -- and a three-year comeback that has seen him fail to
duplicate the successes of his prime -- although there is speculation
that the 43-year-old German driver could replace Perez at Sauber next
season.
Hamilton's move, which had been rumoured for weeks, was confirmed by
Mercedes on Friday shortly after McLaren announced its signing of Perez.
"It is now time for me to take on a fresh challenge and I am very
excited to begin a new chapter," Hamilton said. "Mercedes-Benz has such
an incredible heritage in motorsport, along with a passion for winning
which I share.
"Together, we can grow and rise to this new challenge," the
27-year-old added. "I believe that I can help steer the Silver Arrows to
the top and achieve our joint ambitions of winning the world
championships."
Hamilton won his only title with McLaren in 2008, but the past two
seasons have featured a mixture of brilliant driving, clashes with other
drivers and controversial moments.
Hamilton angered team management by posting a photo of a telemetry
sheet showing data from his and teammate Jenson Button's car on his
Twitter page at the Belgian Grand Prix recently. Button publicly
criticized Hamilton for the incident, increasing speculation that a
change was imminent.
Although Hamilton was expected to leave, team principal Martin
Whitmarsh thinks he has made a mistake.
"I wouldn't advise anyone to leave McLaren if they want to win, but
I've got to respect Lewis' decision and really wish him well," Whitmarsh
said.
Rosberg, who won the Chinese Grand Prix in April for his first career
win, is looking forward to working with Hamilton.
"Very cool that lewis will be my new teamate! Gonna be another great
challenge!" the German driver said on his Twitter page.
Schumacher has struggled for consistency since coming out of
retirement in 2010 to join Mercedes. Now in his third season with
Mercedes, the German has managed only one podium finish -- third place
-- during that time. This season, he has retired from seven races.
"I have had three nice years with the team which, unfortunately, did
not go as well as we all would have wanted on the sporting side,"
Schumacher said.
He did not say whether he will try to find a new team for next
season.
Team chief Ross Brawn thanked Schumacher "for the important
contribution he has made to the growth of our team over the past three
seasons" and sad he is excited about challenging for the title with
Hamilton.
"The arrival of a driver of Lewis' calibre is a testament to the
standing of Mercedes-Benz in Formula 1 and I am proud that Lewis shares
our vision and ambition," Brawn said. "I believe that the combination of
Lewis and Nico will be the most dynamic and exciting pairing on the
grid next year, and I am looking forward to what we can achieve
together."
Brawn acknowledged that Schumacher had not lived up to the team's
hopes.
"His energy and commitment have never wavered, even when results have
not matched our own expectations," Brawn said. "We are determined to
finish the 2012 season together on a high."