Nico Hulkenberg: Lewis Hamilton Needed “Change of Scenery” With Ferrari After Mercedes Drowned All Hopes

Lewis Hamilton is driving with Mercedes for his farewell season as the Briton prepares to move to Ferrari. The most shocking transfer of the century comes with the entire community discussing it, as Hamilton has been loyal to Mercedes and won 6 world champion titles with them. But what led him to leave?

It’s been eleven years since Hamilton has been racing with the Brackley-based team and Toto Wolff was caught off guard. But he was not the only one to be surprised upon hearing the news. Nico Hulkenberg, who drives for Haas, was asked if he had heard the news about Lewis Hamilton leaving. That’s when Hulkenberg opened up about his thoughts on the Hamilton-Ferrari transition.

Nico Hulkenberg shares why Lewis Hamilton could have left Mercedes

The Auto Motor und Sport Magazine asked the Haas driver about Hamilton’s switch. He said, “I ​​read it online. This story was also a surprise.” Sharing his own experience, he said, “As a driver who has been with a team for so long, you can understand a change like that.”

Nico asked, “How long was Lewis at Mercedes? Eleven years? My personal record is four years or so.” He then revealed what he thinks is the reason Hamilton left and said, “At some point you need a new challenge, a change of scenery, also considering that the last two years at Mercedes didn’t go so well for Lewis.”

Read More: Nico Hülkenberg Aims to Exploit Lewis Hamilton–Induced Shake Up in F1 to Land “Attractive” Seat

According to the 36-year-old driver, Hamilton left the Silver Arrow to race with a new team, and with Scuderia Ferrari being the legendary name it is, he made the jump. It was a fantastic opportunity for Lewis Hamilton as Ferrari made a better offer to the Briton than he had asked for from Mercedes. In a sport where “Cash is King,” Hamilton decided to join the team where his idol/record rival Michael Schumacher took his career to win most of his titles. But then who will fill his seat in the Brackley-based team?

Who will Mercedes pick to replace Lewis Hamilton?

Mercedes has a platter of drivers to choose from after the 2024 season is over. Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris, Alex Albon, Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly and of course, Carlos Sainz are all strong candidates. All these drivers are getting out of their contracts at the end of the season and it looks like the silly season for 2025 has already started.

Before the 2026 regulation change, Mercedes would like to claim another victory, but with Lewis Hamilton out, it seems difficult. While most of the drivers are highly skilled, only Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz have the experience and speed to take Verstappen. But among the two, Alonso is said to be in talks with Wolff to take Lewis Hamilton’s seat. There is also a chance that the team will hire Andrea Kimi Antonelli from the Mercedes Junior team.

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But with a whole season ahead, Toto Wolff has good enough time to decide who to bring in. That being said, who is your top pick for Mercedes post-Hamilton? Let us know in the comments below.