After weeks of speculation, the much rumoured news story concerning Lewis Hamilton‘s Formula One future with the Silver Arrows proved to be true with the Mercedes Grand Prix team officially announcing their driver line-up for next season.
The 2008 world champion will drive alongside Nico Rosberg, taking over Michael Schumacher’s spot at the team.
It is unclear what plans are in store for the seven-time world champion. A possible advisory role at Mercedes will be ideal considering his amount of Formula One experience and knowledge.
As for the Hamilton and Rosberg partnership in 2013, this is an exciting driver line-up at Mercedes. Both are determined to lead the Silver Arrows back to championship glory in the sport and it will be fascinating who will have the upper hand in terms of outright speed.
For Hamilton, this move to Mercedes might seem like a gamble but the level of support from the German car manufacturer plus Ross Brawn’s leadership could guide him to world titles.
And so ends his relationship with McLaren. Hamilton has been with the outfit since making his Formula One debut back in 2007. After 20 victories with 48 podium finishes plus 24 pole positions and eleven fastest laps, Lewis will join Mercedes for a “fresh challenge”.
“It is now time for me to take on a fresh challenge and I am very excited to begin a new chapter racing for the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. 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. I believe that I can help steer the Silver Arrows to the top and achieve our joint ambitions of winning the world championships.”
As for his former team, McLaren announce their replacement driver in the form of Sergio Perez.
After two seasons in Formula One with Sauber, the Mexican will represent the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team in 2013.
His record to date includes three podium finishes including that ever-so-close victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix earlier this year.
Perez had been most strongly linked to a future at Ferrari, as part of its young driver programme, but its president Luca di Montezemolo said several times that he did not think the Mexican was experienced enough for a team like Ferrari.
McLaren obviously feels differently, and believes that it can harness Perez’s talent to fight for the world championship alongside Jenson Button in 2013.
“I’m thrilled and delighted to have become a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver,” said Perez.
“The McLaren name is one of the greatest in the history of Formula 1. For more than 40 years McLaren has been a team that every racing driver has aspired to drive for – I was brought up on the great stories of Ayrton Senna’s many world championship triumphs for McLaren – and I’m truly honoured that they’ve chosen me to partner Jenson from 2013 onwards.
Ferrari has definitely missed out on this exciting opportunity and it will be fascinating to see the combination of youth and experience at McLaren.
The original BBC Sport news story about Lewis Hamilton linking a drive with Mercedes as predicted by BBC F1’s Eddie Jordan.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/19489930
EJ was right on this! Various news stories on Hamilton’s move to the Silver Arrows.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102895
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102906
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/28/hamilton-confirms-move-mclaren-mercedes/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/sep/28/lewis-hamilton-move-mercedes
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/sep/28/lewis-hamilton-mclaren-whitmarsh
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/mclaren/9572989/Lewis-Hamilton-departs-for-Mercedes-as-McLaren-sign-Sergio-Perez-for-perfect-blend-of-youth-and-experience.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/lewishamilton/9573094/Lewis-Hamilton-says-it-was-time-for-fresh-challenge-after-agreeing-three-year-deal-at-Mercedes.html
Official press release from MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS:
http://www.mercedes-amg-f1.com/en/#/s/news/1802/lewis-hamilton-to-race-for-mercedes-amg-petronas-from-2013
Following the signature of the commercial agreement with FOM this week by Mercedes-Benz, the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton has signed a three-year agreement to race for the team from the 2013 Formula One season.
Lewis’ career has been supported by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren since its earliest days. In 2000, he and Nico Rosberg were team-mates at TeamMBM.com in Formula A karting. Lewis drove with Mercedes-Benz engines during his two seasons in the Formula 3 Euroseries, winning the 2005 championship, and every one of his 104 Formula One starts so far have been powered by the three-pointed star.
Lewis is one of four drivers, along with Juan Manuel Fangio, Mika Häkkinen and Jenson Button, to have won the Formula One world championship with Mercedes-Benz power. With 20 Formula One victories, he is equal with Mika Häkkinen as the most successful Mercedes-Benz Formula One driver.
The recruitment of the 2008 world champion marks the start of a new chapter for the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. Lewis will replace Michael Schumacher, who has contributed significantly to the development of the Silver Arrows works team over the past three years.
During this time, the team achieved the milestone of the first victory of the modern era for a works Silver Arrow, when Nico Rosberg won this year’s Chinese Grand Prix, and has scored five further podium finishes to date.
In parallel, Mercedes-Benz has put in place the right technical structure and given the team in Brackley and Brixworth the tools it needs to achieve long-term, durable success in Formula One. In the near future, three-time world champion Niki Lauda will also bring his extensive experience to the role of non-executive chairman of the team’s board of directors, further reinforcing the strength in depth at MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS.
The signing of Lewis Hamilton completes the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS driver line-up for the 2013 season alongside Nico Rosberg. Nico won his first Grand Prix this year in China and will enter his fourth season with our team.
Michael Schumacher
“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. I wish Lewis well and for the team to achieve the success we worked so hard for in the build-up. I would like to thank the team for their trust and all the guys for their unconditional commitment. I will now concentrate on the next races.”
Lewis Hamilton
“It is now time for me to take on a fresh challenge and I am very excited to begin a new chapter racing for the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. 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. I believe that I can help steer the Silver Arrows to the top and achieve our joint ambitions of winning the world championships.”
Ross Brawn, Team Principal – MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS
“On behalf of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS, I would first of all like to thank Michael Schumacher for the important contribution he has made to the growth of our team over the past three seasons. His energy and commitment have never wavered, even when results have not matched our own expectations, and we are determined to finish the 2012 season together on a high. As always, it has been a pleasure to work with Michael.
“Looking ahead to 2013, I am delighted to welcome Lewis Hamilton to our team. The arrival of a driver of Lewis’ calibre is a testament to the standing of Mercedes-Benz in Formula One and I am proud that Lewis shares our vision and ambition for the success of the Silver Arrows.
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.
“Over the past three years, we have been putting in place the foundations and building blocks that are needed to compete regularly for the world championship. Behind the scenes, we have assembled a team that is technically stronger, more experienced and better resourced, thanks to the support of PETRONAS and all of our loyal team partners.
The potential is now there to match any other team on the grid, which is the minimum standard for a Mercedes-Benz works team. Our task is now to translate that potential into on-track performance for next season and beyond.”
Norbert Haug, Vice President – Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“Mercedes-Benz has supported Lewis throughout his career, from karting, to Formula 3, to our successful partnership with McLaren, and it will be a very nice moment for all of us in the team to see him at the wheel of a works Silver Arrow next season, following in the tradition of British Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix drivers Sir Stirling Moss and Richard Seaman.
“Of course, it takes a great driver to replace such a legendary and successful one as Michael Schumacher. Over the past three years, Michael has been a great driver and an exemplary ambassador for MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS. His experience has been an important factor in guiding the development of our team in Brackley and we extend our sincere thanks to Michael for his loyalty, team play and commitment. We will be working very hard together in order to achieve the best possible results in the remainder of the 2012 season.
“The central task of any racing team is to deliver a car that allows the drivers to fully express their talents. In the 52 races for our works team, we have achieved a number of important milestones, including an historic victory for Nico Rosberg in China this year. We know that it is now time to take the next step, in order to deliver consistent front-running performances in the tradition of the Silver Arrows. Every single person in our team is working with total commitment and focus on achieving this ambition.”
Follow the drivers and teams via Twitter for the latest news:
https://twitter.com/LewisHamilton
https://twitter.com/SChecoPerez
https://twitter.com/MercedesAMGF1
https://twitter.com/TheFifthDriver
As for Sergio Perez, the Mexican will join McLaren in 2013. Various news stories:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102891
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102892
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/28/perez-takes-place-mercedesbound-hamilton-mclaren/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/sep/28/mclaren-sergio-perez-lewis-hamilton
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/sep/28/sergio-perez-f1-sauber
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/mclaren/9572727/Sergio-Perez-to-fill-void-left-by-Lewis-Hamilton-at-McLaren-after-former-world-champion-joins-Mercedes.html
Official press release from Vodafone McLaren Mercedes:
http://www.mclaren.com/page/vodafone-mclaren-mercedes-confirms-multi-year-deal-with-sergio-perez-1
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is delighted to announce that it has signed 22-year-old Mexican Sergio Perez to a multi-year deal from the start of the 2013 season.
Sergio Perez
In just two short years, Sergio has made a stunning impression on Formula 1, taking a string of hugely impressive giant-killing podium finishes while combining a deft turn of speed with considerable maturity, and showcasing the potential ability to become one of the biggest stars in global motorsport.
Sergio’s new deal means that he will begin a driving partnership with 2009 world champion Jenson Button. The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team’s new driver line-up offers the perfect blend of youth and experience – a combination from which both sides of the garage will be set to benefit.
While Sergio’s career with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes will begin in earnest in Melbourne next year, his future team remains absolutely committed to fighting for, and providing every opportunity to both Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton to contest, the 2012 drivers’ and constructors’ world championships.
Sergio Perez said:
“I’m thrilled and delighted to have become a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver. The McLaren name is one of the greatest in the history of Formula 1. For more than 40 years McLaren has been a team that every racing driver has aspired to drive for – I was brought up on the great stories of Ayrton Senna’s many world championship triumphs for McLaren – and I’m truly honoured that they’ve chosen me to partner Jenson from 2013 onwards.
“I’ve spent the 2012 season working very hard to demonstrate my potential, but I’ve always remained humble and focused. I am, and always will be, extremely grateful to Peter [Sauber] and everybody at the Sauber Formula 1 team for their belief in me, and for giving me the chance to race in Formula 1.
“In fact, they gave me the perfect opportunity to demonstrate what I can do – and I’m now equally grateful to Martin [Whitmarsh] and everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for giving me the chance to take this next very big step in my career.
“I’m under no illusion that it is indeed a very big step – as it would be for any driver – but I’m ready for it. So, while I’m still fully focused on doing my best for Sauber for the remainder of this season, I’m already massively looking forward to working with everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, and with Jenson, who’s someone I’ve long admired as a brilliant driver and a great champion.
“I’d like to thank Carlos Slim Jr, who has helped me since I was 14 years old, without whom I wouldn’t be where I am today. Our journey together over the past eight years has been an incredible one, and I’ll do everything in my power to deliver with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes the results that he and I have been working so hard and so long to achieve together.
“As I say, I’ve worked very hard to get to this stage in my career, and I’m now massively looking forward to this next even more exciting stage. It’s fantastic that all the sacrifices I’ve made are now paying off. For example, I remember very clearly the first day I left my family, when I was 15, to live in Germany to race in Formula BMW. It was tough for me – I was sleeping in a restaurant at that time – but the dream of one day becoming a Formula 1 driver kept me going through those difficult days.
“Finally, I’d like to thank my beloved family, who’ve encouraged me at every turn, and last but far from least the people of Mexico, my home country, whose magnificent support I’ll do my very best to reward with future successes with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.”
Martin Whitmarsh (Team Principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes) said:
“On behalf of everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, I’m delighted to welcome Sergio on board. His performances throughout 2012 have convinced us that he’s an extremely exciting prospect for the future.
“It was a string of giant-killing performances, a trio of podiums and a brilliant fastest lap in this year’s Monaco Grand Prix that showed us that Sergio lacks nothing in terms of speed and commitment. We’ve been monitoring his progress carefully for some months – and, now that he’s become part of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team, our task will be to refine and develop his abilities as his career progresses over the coming years.
“Uniting Sergio alongside Jenson will give us a very broad base of driver ability. Jenson is one of motorsport’s greatest ambassadors, and his unique blend of prodigious speed and canny race-craft makes him formidably well-armed to fight for victory on any grand prix circuit in the world. While Sergio is still developing his palette of skills, we’re convinced that he’s not only talented and quick, but also that he’s willing and eager to learn.
“He’s perfectly poised to develop into a world championship challenger. His addition to the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team provides us with the perfect two-pronged driver line-up for the new season.
“Finally, it’s entirely appropriate that I should take this opportunity to pass on our thanks to Lewis Hamilton. He wrote a huge chapter of his life and career with us, and was, and always will be, a fine member of an exclusive club: the McLaren world champions’ club.
“It goes without saying that we all wish him well for the future, just as it also goes without saying that we hope and believe that Sergio, too, will become a member of that exclusive club before too long.”
Morten Lundal (Group Chief Commercial Officer, Vodafone) said:
“On behalf of all at Vodafone, I’d like to say how pleased we are that Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has signed Sergio to a multi-year deal. We look forward to enjoying success with Sergio and McLaren.”
Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez Mendoza was born in Guadalajara, central Mexico, on January 26 1990.
He is the fifth Mexican driver to contest a round of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship – following in the footsteps of Moises Solana (1963-1968), Ricardo Rodriguez (1961-1962), Pedro Rodriguez (1963-1968) and Hector Rebaque (1977-1979).
Sergio’s route into motorsport was always assured: his father Antonio was a Mexican Formula Vee champion and his older brother Antonio was a champion in Mexico’s Corona NASCAR series. Sergio is managed by successful IndyCar/Le Mans driver Adrian Fernandez, a fellow Mexican.
After cutting his teeth in karting in Mexico and junior single-seaters in North America, Sergio moved to Europe in 2005, aged 15, to compete in Formula BMW. After two seasons, he quickly graduated through A1 Grand Prix, and completed two seasons of British Formula 3 (he was the National Class winner in 2007 with 14 race victories, and won four races and finished fourth in the Championship Class in 2008) and GP2, initially contesting the GP2 Asia series in 2008 before spending two seasons in the principal GP2 category in 2009 and 2010.
His second GP2 campaign (2010) resulted in five race victories (at Monaco, Silverstone, Hockenheim, Spa-Francorchamps and Yas Marina) and the runner-up spot in the championship behind the more experienced Pastor Maldonado.
Sergio then graduated to Formula 1 with Sauber in 2011, partnering Kamui Kobayashi. He finished seventh in his first-ever grand prix (Melbourne) before both the team’s cars were disqualified for a technical infringement. His best result in his maiden season was a seventh place, in the Santander British Grand Prix.
For 2012, he remained at Sauber, completing a series of stunning drives – impressive second-place finishes at Sepang and Monza and a strong third-placed finish in Montreal – to cement his position as one of Formula 1’s brightest new hopes. He currently lies ninth in the Formula 1 world championship standings, with 66 world championship points from seven points-finishes.