Contrary to Lewis Hamilton's claims, the 13x podium finisher does not think the F1 legend leaves Mercedes for Ferrari in its current form

Mercedes driver George Russell claimed that his teammate Lewis Hamilton would not have decided to leave the German team for the 2025 season in favor of Ferrari in its current form. The former world champions have made a roaring comeback into the sport this year as they became the only team on the grid apart from Red Bull to win two consecutive races, with Russell winning in Austria and Hamilton in Silverstone.

The seven-time world champion had shocked the F1 paddock after he announced that he would leave Mercedes in favor of Ferrari for the 2025 season and ending his 12-year partnership with the German team. After the British GP, Lewis Hamilton claimed that he was content with his decision despite the recent upturn in form for the Brackley-based outfit.

Speaking with Reuters, George Russell, who has been on the podium 13 times in F1, believes Lewis Hamilton won't have made the decision based on the team's recent resurgence. He said (via The Mirror):

"I don't think he would have left if the team was performing like this. No way he would have left, for sure not. For 2026 the PU [power unit] is looking really strong and everything we're doing with the fuels is looking great and there's a lot of optimism for us over the next couple of years. As tough as these last few years have been, it really feels like we've got the momentum with us now."

Although, the young Brit added that he understood Hamilton's need for a change in environment after a long association with a team, adding:

"I think everybody wants to change at some point. He's been here 12 years now, he's achieved so much with the team. I think for him it's exciting to have that change."

"But of course, if the team you're currently with are winning races and everything is looking super great for the future, you just want to be in the fastest car possible and it doesn't matter what color that is," he added.

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Lewis Hamilton gives a one-word response to a question about his move to Ferrari

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton said that he did not regret his decision to move to rival Ferrari for the 2025 season and beyond despite the German team outperforming the Italian team in the last four races this season.

In his post-qualifying press conference in Silverstone, the 39-year-old was asked if he would still join joined Ferrari at the end of the season had he known the current shift in form of both teams, to which Hamilton gave a one-word response:

"Yes," Hamilton said.

Mercedes are currently in P4 in the Constructor's Championship with 221 points after 12 races and three Sprints thus far with Ferrari maintaining their grip on P2 in the standings ahead of McLaren with 302 points.