Without Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes are screwed

Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari will go down as the biggest F1 driver move of all time. But what does this mean for Mercedes and their future? Many Mercedes fans have abandoned their team, and jumped on the Scuderia Ferrari train with Lewis Hamilton and although some fans prefer to follow a particular driver rather than a team, switching sides when Mercedes are no longer winning seems like a weak move. Enjoy!
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[@MarkHewitt1978]

It is notable that Mercedes has never been without a World Champion driver.

[@camelot_crusader3024]

Could still be the case if they sign Fernando!

[@salim_abid_]

They could sign a world champion Or maybe George wins it in 2024 lol

[@Phoon996]

Is that more of an “insecurity”? Maybe they think “people will not take us seriously if we do not have a WC driving for us”? Although, this shouldn’t be the case these days…they’re a 8time in a row constructors WC, so its not like they’re a small team.

[@salim_abid_]

@@Phoon996 I wouldn’t say an insecurity but perhaps just a business model, A way of building the team and building an identity. Or just coincidence lol

[@Nagi98]

@@Phoon996Having a Champion on the team is definetly statement. Beside having the history they do.

[@Duskraven377]

I'm a fan of drivers, not brand names.

[@ivaniii9707]

The drivers are brands too

[@gottliebdee263]

@@ivaniii9707Ooh. VERY, well put.

[@maxwellpeter5955]

I remember his debut in 2013, it felt like it was just yesterday. His rivalry with vettel back in 2017, it was a one hell of a ride for both him and us

[@theunsolved6052]

The mercedes drivers are the winners and the team is the loser in the whole deal. kimi - gets a seat (possibly) Russel-can be leader of the team lewis-gets a ferrari seat mercedes-loses a seven time world champion

[@Br0nzeBar0n]

For a second, I thought kimi raikkonen was coming out of retirement

[@erwinsabilala6014]

Kimi is out of question, he wants to focus on his family when he retires

[@lksnmb]

Loses a seven time world champion and at the same time get rid of his toxicity 😊

[@1400hpnextgen7]

The saddest part of it is Andretti not getting to race in F1

[@zd3f027xh5w]

Cry harder 😂😂😂

[@granautismo42069]

Thats because F1 hates America

[@JohnWiku]

​@@zd3f027xh5w why are you happy that Andretti isn't part of F1? At this point HAAS is just a disgrace, any one can do better than HAAS, Andretti would kick HAAS' ASS in their first season 😂😂😂

[@Rtx9070ti]

​​@@zd3f027xh5w bot account imagine joined 1 month ago and private

[@stanraye6723]

​@@zd3f027xh5w why are you against andretti joining? actually curious?

[@makoboy230]

Honestly i still can’t imagine Hamilton in Ferrari overalls

[@bunkscrap]

It is just as weird as seeing Nigel Mansell in a Ferrari or Gerrard Bergher. The red's contrast is just too much especially if the driver has not been wearing anything like red

[@Warrioruk]

Neither can I.

[@BrettJones27]

I thought the same in the 90s... when Schumacher went to Ferrari... It's just going to look 'wrong'. But history tells a different story.

[@ttghhgg1918]

U can the crYing n victim blaming will be the same from lulu n he would be p12 wearing red

[@leisenra]

Screwed is a little far, never count out Mercedes. They had the fastest car for 8 years in a row.

[@marcusberggren9241]

And Ferrari dominated in similar fashion from 2000 to 2005. Whats your point? Every dominant era comes to an end.

[@soundscape26]

He meant more the support for the team not so much performance.

[@barrysihombing1072]

Not in 2017,2018 and 2021

[@zachdoran10]

@@barrysihombing1072yeah that's a very shallow way to put it

[@ddha0000]

the merc was not the fastest car in 2017-18 and 2021. the ferrari and rb was a bit quicker overall.

[@soundscape26]

Aside from perhaps Ferrari, most F1 fans are driver fans rather than team fans. What would happen to Red Bull's fanbase if Max left the team? Sure, other drivers will come along each with their own fans but the team would first get a strong drop in their support.

[@samkelo27]

You could measure it by looking at their merchandise sales I'm sure Mercedes's will drop in 2025

[@robbienl8176]

Max has maybe the biggest fanbase, but redbull will always be a cool team with alot of fans

[@recration]

agree

[@sultanoftippoo3857]

Interesting comment. I’d say most F1 fans who have started watching the sport in the last few years are indeed obsessed with one driver or another (only have to see the more extreme ones fighting with each other on YT over their guy like teenage girls arguing over who is the best boyband member). Longer term F1 fans (at least the ones I meet most years at Silverstone) have their driver favourites of course but are often first and foremost fans of teams. Maybe the UK is different because so many teams are based here but as F1 always was and is a constructors series it amuses me how emotional and abusive some fans get over drivers when the reality is no one gets into F1 unless they are exceptional pilots but no one wins a WDC unless they have incredible talent but more importantly drive a competitive car.

[@salim_abid_]

The funniest thing about F1 youtubers is that people are surprised they have different opinions. Why do people expect every youtuber to regurgitate what other youtubers in the same topic to say/think the exact same thing.

[@Nickelodeon81]

No you are wrong! We must all have the same opinion! Resistance is futile.

[@Boostguru]

During my time watching F1, I've noticed there are two types of fans that follow the sport. One being those that are loyal to a team, and those that are loyal to a driver. Neither is wrong, we all digest this sport in different ways for many different reasons.

[@jorisbuis4688]

I have always loved a driver and a team, they didn’t have to be connected but I can understand people only supporting a team or only a driver.

[@gameofender4463]

Also Perspective, for me personally, I’m a fan of Mercedes first. Then Lewis, George, Charles, Max and Oscar.

[@Plupp_]

I feel the same, I'm a Mercedes fan then a Leclerc fan

[@vi14753]

Merc gonna drop in fan base tho.. Heard TeamLh maniacs going to Italian classes

[@gameofender4463]

@@vi14753 Good riddance to the part of Hamilton’s fan base that are toxic and hate on George and Toto when everything isn’t done to help Lewis.

[@LiftandCoa]

​@@gameofender4463Im taking bets for when TeamLH starts to insult Italians with strong racial undertones. I think it after the second bad strategy call

[@gigibau]

I never thought the day would come that I would be cheering for Ferrari 😮. I was a Maclaren/Mika Hakkinen fan back in the day and stopped watching for many years. Lewis Hamilton got me back into F1

[@error101qqq]

Thats why bringing alonso make sense

[@ttghhgg1918]

Alonso is too old n yes he is great but it takes more than skills to keep winning max Charles have hunger while lulu feels entitled as Serena Williams said lulu should have won 8championship so unless his entitled ass gets that he will cry to sleep every night

[@KK-ygh]

Mercedes are screwed. Imagine the optics if LH fails to win a race this year then goes to FERRARI and wins an 8th title while earning 100 million dollars plus bonuses! The best thing merc can do is stop sabotaging LH this year so he wins the 8th and retires without driving for ferrari.

[@user-yt7jb7kk1i]

or finishes far behind Charles

[@KK-ygh]

@@user-yt7jb7kk1i hold my beer

[@anderajohn133]

I came to F1 because of Lewis, I’m now also a Piastri fan. Drivers not teams.

[@salim_abid_]

Personally I’ve always been driver first then team, I’m a Lewis fan before a Mercedes fan, But I’m a casual, I’ll always support drivers like Hamilton, Albon, George, Leclerc, Piastri and Norris, Fernando etc I also support Mercedes, Mclaren, Ferrari and Williams.

[@sakhesengwayo]

I'm a McLaren fan. It was a low blow when Lewis left McLaren, however I'm loyal to my team and stuck with McLaren with or without Hamilton. Now McLaren is on the rise against RedBull and I'm excited to see how it all unfolds.

[@SotonSam]

I've been a Lewis fan since 2007 and I followed him to Mercedes, it's only natural to follow him to Ferrari. Back in the day, I was a die hard McLaren/LH fan and I could never imagine Lewis going to Ferrari, as they were rivals back then. But I'm more than happy to follow him to Ferrari. I've always loved the team and respected and appreciated their racing heritage and their history. So it's exciting to see Lewis driving for them and I'm looking forward to being a Ferrari fan. It's gonna be very very weird to be rooting for the Ferraris, as I've always supported McLaren then Mercedes. I still love Mercedes obviously and not just blowing them off because Lewis left, I will still be happy for them, but my support will be behind Lewis. Wow, thinking about it, it is gonna be strange being a Ferrari fan... Never thought I would be lol At least it's not RB! Is all I'm saying

[@theofficialMaestro]

Lewis to RB 😂, you'd love RB

[@smartbusinessltd]

1:04 True … I followed Mercedes because of Lewis … now that he goes… I will follow him

[@eriknaamot]

I see it vice versa! I think it actually can be very good for Mercedes to go out of the "Hamilton Mold" after such a long time! Sometimes a fresh start can be really good :)

[@vladgordiyenko9696]

Remember when Lewis complained about Mercedes strategy? Remember when world champions moved to Ferrari for their next title? This move is hopes, dreams and desperation.

[@Astfgl]

I see it differently. Without Hamilton, Mercedes can finally move on and reinvent themselves. The cult of Toto and Sir Lewis was not healthy for anyone and it left Mercedes stuck in a rut of expectations that they’re unable to meet anymore. This breakup forces both parties to find something new and I believe they will come out better at the other end.

[@rafaymonam6503]

The only way Mercs can get the same amount of fanbase back is to bring another german world champion out of retirement 😎

[@frieza2235]

Rosberg vs Hamilton vs Verstappen 🔥🔥🔥

[@rafaymonam6503]

@@frieza2235 i meant someone else entirely but this works as well ☠️

[@nino3613]

I’m a fan of Lewis, Period Mercedes didn’t fight the FIA enough about 2021, didn’t listen to the direction him and engineers wanted with the car, didn’t give him a contract that inspired trust, and didn’t make him an ambassador. Lewis made Mercedes look different because of HIS brand but they showed that they’re just another corporation with no soul. So if Lewis is Ferrari I guess I’m Tifosi

[@blindade1]

Well said, i agree... I'm supporting Lewis and Ferrari next year too...

[@tylerensminger]

Some Hamilton fans I've seen seem dismissive of Russell but I think he's a very good driver. However, the key to their success in the future will be Kimi Antonelli. If he lives up to the hype then Mercedes should be challenging for titles even after Lewis retires

[@AloneRacecar]

Wow at first I thought the thumbnail looked like another video from SunnyV2. 😅

[@sanandreasgd7148]

I think most Mercedes fans (even myself) that are lewis fans will probably drop the team to Ferrari because most of us will be ashamed to support a team that can't win anymore, it's like supporting haas.

[@stevesv7941]

They need a driver like Seb vettel or Alonso. Be it towards car development and guidance, fan base, investors perspective and even marketing. To absorb this shock they need a world champion. For me Seb vettel makes most sense as we get all the legends on the grid and Seb can thrive by being in a team which competes at the front (I believe the biggest reason to leave and not having that drive anymore to stay and prioritize other things in his life) And obviously everybody saw how he was driving at the end stage of AM which was amazing and even his contribution even though little lest say for car development for 2023 was also visible.

[@Ronny999x]

Lol LawVS says the exact opposite. Mercedes will Thrive without Lewis. 😅

[@Guiye95]

Law says that rough times are coming too, But he looks at the bigger picture and thinks it gives them time to refresh out of the spotlight with so many fans gone, and thus the pressure to perform now

[@murphychris9811]

but law chats so much bullshit hes nuts he thinks hass will do well

[@robbienl8176]

Think lawvs is right

[@seventh-hydra]

The problem with Merc is that they were never a good team. They were upper midfield, and only had success once they could massively outspend everybody. Now they can't do that anymore, so they'll go back to being mid while teams with actual ingenuity will rise to the top.

[@hardhoofdful]

We’ll see

[@marcusberggren9241]

I think the whole following a specific driver is a relatively new thing. When I started watching F1 in the early 2000s I was following the team Scuderia Ferrari first and the drivers 2nd. Always team first. Ofcourse I didn't like Alonso in 05 and 06 but loved him when he was with Ferrari, same with Vettel from 10-13. the team Scuderia Ferrari though is always closest to my heart. I will admit that when Leclerc leaves Ferrari eventually it will hurt because he's the first Scuderia Ferrari academy driver to make it to F1 and to make it to the Ferrari F1 team.

[@gameofender4463]

I’m the same with Merc. I’m a Mercedes team fan first, before the drivers.

[@marcusberggren9241]

​@@gameofender4463 kudos to you. I think you are one of few.

[@gameofender4463]

@@marcusberggren9241 Thanks and I can understand your point with Charles. As I feel the same with George. I want to see both of them be WDC at some point. As I believe both are good enough and deserve it.

[@marcusberggren9241]

​@@gameofender4463yep problem is Max is too good 😅 and then he is sitting in the best car by far. But with no rule change for 2024 and 2025 hopefully both Ferrari and Merc can close the gap. A 3 way fight is something we havent seen in over 15 years.

[@gameofender4463]

@@marcusberggren9241 Hopefully. Russell, Leclerc and Verstappen have been battling each other for years on the way to F1. A three-way season long battle to see which one of those three is truly “the best” would be epic.

[@taridean]

I've never been a fan of any teams, just the drivers. I'll be rooting for Sir Lewis to win at Ferrari, even though I'm not a fan of the brand itself. Rooted for him at McLaren, same at Mercedes and will be the same at Ferrari. My only wish is if he can take Bono with him 😁.

[@huwgrossmith9555]

Merc screwed themselves by not listening to either of its drivers.

[@mart1n10601]

I disagree. People said the same when Schumacher left Ferrari. Then came along Fernando and Kimi. People said the same thing when Vettel left Red Bull, now Max verstappen is here. Peoiple said the same thing with Lewis and fernando leaving mclaren, now they have lando. Thing is mercedes now have an opporunity to find their next generational talent. And get more fans since Lewis/Max rivalry isn't RB vs. Merc anymore. I think Red Bull fans might not even "hate" or "dislike" mercedes anymore now that Lewis left. It's a new page filled with opportunity.

[@worminator15]

I actually think so too

[@Drie_Kleuren]

Can you or will you make a video about what is going on at Red Bull with Horner?

[@Smiler121]

I followed Lewis to Mercedes from McLaren & will follow him to Ferrari. I'm not 100% focused on any single driver or team & Mercedes failing to fully get a handle on this generation of cars has been painful. I understand the reason for the cost cap however I suspect a few years ago they might have been able to get back up on Red Bull's level more quickly. Nowadays it feels like if you get a substantial lead early on like Red Bull did it will be locked into that generation more than ever. I'm also happy to get behind any driver I'm particularly fond of or impressed by, so if someone like Oscar suddenly started going toe to toe with Max & he seemed like a cool guy I'd probably to support him. Max has been majorly impressive however 2021 hurt my head & his dominance in the new generation now reminds me of Schumacher where things got pretty boring.

[@jeffreyoverly7372]

Chasing an 8th title hinders the overall team direction. George Russell is very talented. They will be fine. The next #2 Mercedes driver will be successful.

[@cyberfutur5000]

I disagree slightly on the ManU/ ManCity comparison. That would be more like Ferrari / Red Bull. Mercedes has an very rich history in early F1 and GP racing, and they had a huge influence in McLaren in the 90s/2000s (at least). They are more like if some team that was dominating world football over years disappeared in the 1950s and then came back dominate once more. Just clarifying, I'm not a Mercedes fan, except you'd count Hakkinen, I'm just a big nerd for the history of GP racing and F1 and the fact, that they won f1 races in the 1950s, with cars from the 1930s goes to show how dominant they where. (But on the other hand they where a big Nazi propaganda tool, so there's that...) But the point remains, they are not a new team, they dominated the sport before it was called F1, after it was called f1 in the 50s, then again together with mclaren and then again with the modern team. (I'm terribly sorry if ManCity has like 20 big titles from back in the day, that would make my rant rather pointless, wouldn't it?^^)

[@seventh-hydra]

There's no direct lineage at all really. Saying "a rich history" doesn't really count when there's no connection _to_ that history aside from buying a brand name. The other difference is that Red Bull didn't get their success like Man City, by simply just spending their way to victory. That's what Mercedes did. Red Bull properly scouted and developed its own talents.

[@evandrochaves9596]

I like my approach on F1 by having no favorite teams or drivers, I had a Verstappen phase in 2020-21 but I guess everyone had. My football team already made me suffer enough to have a F1 team making me suffer too

[@cosmic-tiger]

It’s funny, on the same day I’ve seen one video saying Mercedes with thrive without Lewis & yours saying that they’re finished 😂

[@meislit9217]

Nah chill, sure some fans will leave Mercedes with Lewis in short term. But Lewis won't be around forever and if Kimi is the huge new talent a lot of people are supposing he is, Mercedes will have the future signed with them which could soon be much more important than Lewis.

[@F1Guy-Guy]

I know for a fact when I go to Silverstone again it will be yet again find out all Lewis Hamiltons Caps are all sold out but instead plenty available will be loads of stocked up GR caps , Mercedes stall will be offering instead guranteed by Saturday.

[@nicka3526]

Lewis fan through and through. I won't lie, and I love your content btw, you sound like you're gatekeeping. As Seb said, "Everyone is a Ferrari fan. Even if they say they're not, they are Ferrari fans." Keep up the good work and good content, see you next video.

[@dcode1000]

honestly between you and Lawvs's video saying the complete opposite i think you might be right lol

[@theGoogol]

Then again ... with Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari are screwed ^_^ I think losing Hamilton might be the best thing for Mercedes.

[@ekaritrigu5252]

Personally, Lewis Hamilton being bigger than Mercedes was a huge business problem. Look at every sports team that had a massively influential player… they’ve become a ghost of themselves. Additionally, Lewis’ performance has dropped, and it’s not just the car at times. Last season, George finished in the top 5 in most of the races, sometimes miles ahead. Mercedes is grateful to Lewis, we all know that. Regardless , its a separate legal entity. They made a great car that made someone talented a 7 time world champion. So why can definitely do it again

[@MustachioFurioso9134]

*not gonna name any names* Rob L Meyers 😂

[@zn_sport]

I get your point but we cannot tell people who to support, and if they are glory hunters it is what it is. It's their wish.

[@mrbungle3310]

Pretty much it wont get better for them

[@robbienl8176]

To be honest Lewis is 't that special, he only won in extremely dominant cars, last 2 years mercedes is the 2nd team and Lewis can"t deliver. Think mercedes can find a good driver and work towards a winning car again.

[@joshualai888]

With out without Lewis, they are screwed since 2022 with the new reg..... With that being said, it's making Lewis look mediocre.... Even if Max were to join Merc, he'll shoot himself in the foot.....

[@VulkanNeckPunch]

Being Finnish and rooting for Häkkinen and Räikkönen at McLaren back in the day, Ferrari were always the bad guys. When Kimi went to Ferrari and won the championship and they were the good guys. Then they ousted Kimi and got another opponent of his, Alonso to replace him hence becoming the bad guys again :D I'm mostly about the drivers and don't really consider myself a fan of any team. Still, Ferrari and McLaren hold a special significane for me being the teams with most historical value (IMO) on the grid. I've also been a fan of both Leclerc and Norris (Piastri too) since their days in the junior categories so that's a nice bit of synergy with my sympathies.

[@user-jg6eq9rq2q]

For me I kinda agree. And for some reason I feel like if Lewis gets his 8th with Ferrari, it won’t mean as much as if he clawed his way back with merc. I’m sure he doesn’t feel that way tho lol. Not saying it’s gonna be easier with Ferrari, just something I wanted to see as a fan of formula 1. Even tho I’ve never been team LH or a merc fan.

[@BrettJones27]

Mercedes does not, for me, at least, have the same name cache as Ferrari, Maclaren, and going back (but still for us older fans) Williams, Lotus, etc... Personally, I follow certain drivers, and certain teams, they do not have to be together. It's amazing when they are, but I can separate the two and cheer for each.

[@adamkenny3229]

Comparing Ferrari and Merc fan bases is apples and pears but I think it's a hot take to say they'd drop off in relevance. They didn't get a regulation change right and it's sent them off kilter for a few years, Ferrari know all about that lol.

[@jmc129]

This aged well. Starting the season like he finished it - P9

[@valkenburgert]

Mercedes is more screwed with Lewis since he’s not a teamplayer. He demands special treatment, overrules the car designers without relevant knowledge and education and simply walks away when times are rough. Lewis leaving Mercedes is an amazing development for Mercedes. They couldn’t fire him due to his popularity with the fanbase, this is the next best thing. It almost makes you wonder if Mercedes consciously build a terrible car just to get rid of Lewis.

[@sasukesthirdeye4378]

Thank you so much for you opinion you helped me understand that I just stay a Mercedes fan I love Lewis like LOVE but out of respect I must stay them colors do something to me

[@valkenburgert]

With Lewis Mercedes is screwed as well. Remember that the team name isn’t what brought the success in. It was the people behind it, and their work. The atmosphere… That’s all gone now, I wouldn’t be surprised if Mercedes slides down the rankings like Williams did in their days. Quite normal in the biggest picture and seeing Mercedes mess up time and time again, and losing their iconic driver, all points towards a steep downhill slope in the near future.

[@christianlewis7055]

I feel the same sense about the idea of jumping ship because of Lewis, but I think the more important thing to respect here, and the reason I probably wouldn't ever make your argument is because I think respecting people's freedom to choose what suits them trumps loyalty. I suppose if you go further up the 'invested in F1' ladder, it makes sense to expect loyalty to some extent. Or in other words: 'don't tell me how to enjoy F1'. Just my take. I love your content and I'm always keen to hear what you have to say.

[@skywalker1471]

I totally agree with this video I’m a Lewis fan so I’ll be jumping ship

[@Chunkerdunkers12]

It's the circle of Formula 1 at its finest.

[@tsholts5173]

They're screwed with Lewis the car merchant lol. They're screwed because they didn't get a head start and illegal tire tests like last time. And hot take: they're screwed until Toto Wolff leaves. He didn't make that turbo hybrid car, he inherited it

[@andrewoward]

Think you may be missing a possible important factor as to why this move may have the effects you are seeing. Also, of all the teams on the grid (not taking anything away from any team) Ferrari is the one iconic team of F1. No other team can compare. Maybe you can do a poll to see the stats for driver followers vs team followers. IMO majority of drivers dream of driving for Ferrari regardless. You may find drivers wanting to drive for other teams only if they have good machinery but certainly not because they share the same Ferrari fervour.

[@douglasberggren7667]

honestly I think lewis leaves solves an issue Mercedes hadnt realiced they had, if Lewis wasnt leaving they would have George and Lewis on for 2 or more years, and Kimi (Antonelli) is knocking on the door of F1, now they get an open seat for 2025 Which they will probebly have quite easy to fill, this could be Albon, Ocon (most likely not as him an George dont get alon apperently) Bottas, Sainz or Perez. Kimi could Win F2 already this year which forces him to move up which might force the hand of Merc but even then if they could get Albon Williams would probebly not mind Kimi in his place. as far as people moving on from Merc as fans just cause Lewis is leaving, sure. but that also makes it posible for another Driver to grow as the main driver in the fans eyes, Lewis could have a 0 point season with a teammate getting 100 points and lewis would still be the fan favorite. This move will only allow the team to grow and get a new star if that is Russell, Kimi or who ever comes in. there are so many drivers knocking on the door for F1 now that there are bound to come in some fast guys with some great personalities, merc only need one and no one was going to be able to shine next to lewis

[@douglasberggren7667]

also, honestly havent Ferrari always had a problem with star drivers who starts to out shine the team? Ferrari has always wanted to be the main attraction and if that is still the case I dont see it working with Hamilton as he might just be bigger than F1 to be fair.

[@LiftandCoa]

5:10 *laughts in williams fan*

[@andyelliott3198]

I have always been a team first kind of fan, fully supporting whichever two drivers race for my team (Ferrari) regardless of what they achieved with other teams. I would find it hard to be a driver first fan supporting whichever team my favourite driver races for. For example I loved Alonso and Massa/Raikkonen at Ferrari but when ALO moved to McLaren I was done supporting him. Don't get me wrong I still liked Fernando and wanted the guy to have success but no way was I going to ditch Ferrari for McLaren just because I liked Alonso more than his Ferrari replacement Vettel.

[@crystalracing4794]

Losing Lewis means Mercedes loses a star name. They can get Alonso and Vettel, but they are nearing the end. So Antonelli has to be an option

[@MrKillervincent]

It all depends wether you follow the driver or the team, and its magical when the 2 align, if a driver leaves your favourite team, you will still support your favourite team, if you support your favourite driver, when they move teams you may do too, our minds and decisions and thoughts change over time and thats okay 👍 Edit: i also feel like not a lot of people are Mercedes fans 🤷‍♂️ sure there are plenty of mercedes fans, but thats as Lewis fans not actual followers of the team, I was Baby fed f1 by my dad and watched every season since i was born in 2000, (yes i remember Schumi racing for ferrari) but my 1st favourite team was Renault as i loved the blue and yellow cars, then i loved the bmws, but then they left and the williams looked very similar, then liked the Mclarens because of lewis when ne and my dad would watch every race of the season to see Hamilton take his 1st championship at the last corner (i was 8 😂) and i still support Williams and Mclaren now, but im not bothered by Mercedes and probably wont support them afterwards 🤷‍♂️

[@penusliski]

I think everyone has the right to choose which team or driver they support and if they want to switch teams cause a driver switched, it's entirely up to them and there's no right or wrong

[@gerardodiazmiron5357]

The only one in the grid that could bring those numbers to Mercedes is Perez. His fan base is huge.

[@__Awaken__]

Russel is a pretty solid driver but he makes mistakes…he showed his potential at Bahrain in practice 2 and qual but overtaken by sergio and carlos. I love mercedes and their drivers, I also love carlos..so I hope carlos would switch with hamilton after this season 😭

[@marshallmarthes]

I've always been a ferrari fan and a lewis fan, it was always so conflicting when lewis beat vettel in 2017 and 2018, now I'm happy

[@DaPeePeePooPooCheck]

I was originally a Ferrari fan, I’m mixed race so when Lewis came in and I was a Lewis fan because ✊🏾… So this move is a combination of my two favourite parts of F1:)

[@cdanerz3677]

The thing he said about supporting a driver and a team is a fair point. Im a McLaren fan and a lewis fan, the reason of me supporting McLaren is the history and the other half was because of lewis starting at McLaren, I've never jump ship on supporting mercades, i just decided to stick with McLaren but at tje same time still have Lewis as my favourite driver

[@jackmonaghan8477]

Hamilton fans don't know what they're missing in the lower categories with Merc junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

[@whyareyoureadingmynickname8158]

I disagree. Mercedes has stagnated since 2021 and they need radical changes if they want to move forward again. I'll argue that Toto also needs to go as well, Mercedes needs a fresh start. Now, the question is - is Russell capable of leading a team with title aspirations?

[@gameofender4463]

Yes. George has been unstoppable before on the way to F1. Not to mention that he obliterated the field in Sakhir. In a good car, he’ll be fine. At the absolute minimum he’s capable of one WDC.

[@Krimo]

Well your wrong

[@whyareyoureadingmynickname8158]

@@Krimo Your compelling argument convinced me.

[@ulbqx]

Without Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton is screwed. Without Mercedes'motor, Lewis was never 7 times World Champion!

[@erencan9966]

The Silver Arrows immortalized them selves 🖤

[@CHEGTO]

As a Fan of the sport and not the sports entertainment that I personally perceive Formula 1 to have become over the last few years . I am extremely excited for the 2025 season. Being a life long fan of Ferrari and being a supporter of Charles and sir Lewis Hamilton I can’t help but be over joyed and optimistic for the future of the team but also a bit saddened as the era of drivers I grew older watching are All but gone from the sport I liked and still do like and will support Mercedes because they where a magnificent team and example of brilliant talent innovation and properly executed industry. But being a Fan the only team I have ever professed to be a Fan of Ferrari I hope that when Sir Lewis retires that he is able to leave on top with a record that will never be broken and that Charles learns so much from him that he carry’s that torch of being one of the greatest to ever get in a formula 1 car .. P.S hopefully it doesn’t become a spec series with everyone’s car looking like the damn rb18-19etc . Etc

[@ainsleycailipan2005]

imagine mercedes does another drive from retirement

[@AgentUltimate7]

I like Lewis and I was happy with his victories, but I never care too much about Merc, because McLaren is my team, it was Senna's, Prost's and Lauda's team and love it to my core. The moment that let on the edge of my seat last year was Lando's attempts at overtaking Verstappen during the Brazilian GP.

[@factor2634]

Why doesn't Andretti just buy Haas and scrap it since they have done most of the work

[@user-yt7jb7kk1i]

Time to pick up a future winner not holding a past champion. I don't think this is bad for mercedes.

[@petersteinmeijer519]

Perhaps Mercedes will call Verstappen now that Red Bull is about to self-implode.

[@twinprime768]

I’ve always been a Tifofi before Lewis and I became a Lewis fan because he was sensational in 2006 in GP2 and in 2007 with McLaren; Merc became dominant in the Hybrid era but that team was never on the level of Ferrari, Redbull or Mclaren, so Merc is never going to be on the level of Redbull and Ferrari again now that the Hybrid era is gone. I believe Ferrari could dominate in 2026, which may once again see Lewis making another great timely team transfer move, ironically leaving a Brit team mate in his old team, all we need is for Checo to replace Lewis at Merc and that would make the dejavu complete

[@WhySoSeriouz]

It’s unfair how you’re saying people are jumping ship. As you just said before hand, you don’t have to like a team you can like a driver. So how are people jumping ship? I’m a LH fan not a Mercedes fan. So now I have to stick with Merced for what? They don’t have my favorite driver, the reason I watch this sport. Not a great argument at all.

[@benben3409]

I am also of Italian descent, and that, combined with my favorite color being red and my love of pretty cars, means I LOVE FERRARI. But I used to have Mercedes as my third-favorite team. Now they've fallen to fifth.

[@jonahhammond2438]

I’ve always been a Ferrari fan and Lewis Hamilton fan so this move is great for me

[@varunvarma8183]

The Ferrari feeling of yours is mutual brother ❤

[@WolfPackAlpha-sn2sw]

Ferrari had their 1992 season. No team is exempt from bad years.

[@BrianDavis-j]

Think it will be the same thing that happened to McLaren!

[@DonJulioitsthegoodstuff]

Schumacher is German, and makes sense the move to mercedes to finish its career, now we see hamilton going to ferrari to finish his career... F1 is Ferrari, and Ferrari is F1, either we like it or not... lets enjoy the show and see where it goes... lets dream about the magician from RB to also join Ferrari and make a dream team like before... it would be epic

[@danielnyangweso1759]

I have no hate intended here, but Mercedes will get more real proper fans when Lewis leaves for Ferrari. Merc will get more people who want the legacy Lewis left to continue and will not live on sleeping on a wound that was AD 2021 and look forward to the day the lift trophies again

[@ShortnSweets2s]

Lol same can be said for the orange army..if max leaves you think red bull will still have fans?

[@danielnyangweso1759]

@@ShortnSweets2s Yes same can be said for the orange army as well... you're right

[@hrv8008]

Even with him, Mercedes was screwed anyways! Without the top car on the grid...He won't be able to do anything. 😅

[@LeongGunners]

I don't think Merc is dropping Lewis for sporting reasons. It's more likely that they're at odds with his activism which is increasingly taking center stage, and decided to distance themselves from that. If I were the team owner, I wouldn't want a driver who is actively trying to steer us into a woke direction either, especially not as an ambassador.

[@jesse76th96]

I think Ferrari is cool but having Mercedes be the team with the best stats driver of all time would be a good thing for the sport. It cant be Ferrari show all the time imo

[@Whatreally123]

I still cant imagine lewis in red. Somehow just doesnt feel right.