Helmut Marko shares intriguing details about the Lewis Hamilton-Ferrari announcement

Red Bull team advisor Helmut Marko has said that he was aware of the Lewis Hamilton-Ferrari deal a day before the early February announcement. The seven-time world champion shocked the motorsport world with his departure announcement from Mercedes after 11 years to join Ferrari for the 2025 season.

The decision was even more surprising, as the Brit had signed a contract extension with the German team in August 2023 till the 2025 season. But Ferrari activated his release clause and poached him for a multi-year deal alongside Charles Leclerc.

Speaking with GrandPrix247, the Red Bull advisor accepted that he too was caught off-guard by Lewis Hamilton's switch to Ferrari but noted that the move is good for the sport:

"There had been rumors but especially in the winter, there are a lot of rumors because no racing is going on. But when it was officially announced, I heard it one day before it was announced, I was really surprised. But on the other hand for Formula 1, it’s very good.

"This is the most successful driver we have in history, and together with Ferrari, the share price went up. So you see the effect on the marketing and on the money side. What happens is normally you start around July or August to talk about drivers for next year, and Hamilton moving so early means everything was earlier." he added.

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Ferrari boss provides more details regarding Lewis Hamilton's contract

Ferrari principal Frederic Vasseur let slip that Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari on a 2+1 deal and might race for them until the end of the 2027 season.

Speaking with The Financial Times, Vassuer shared some interesting details about the seven-time world champion's contract and said:

“Lewis was an important symbol because it sends a positive message to the paddock for the future of the team.

"He had to make a choice: ‘Where do I have the biggest chance to win the world championship in 2025, ’26, ’27?’ And he said, ‘Ferrari’. For us, (Hamilton’s arrival is) also the best way to attract good people."

Despite their recent dip in form, Ferrari remain P2 in the Constructors Championship, 71 points behind leaders Red Bull and seven clear of McLaren in P3.

However, their slew of poor results and performance deficits since Monaco has coincided with Mercedes's upturn in form after a slow start to the 2024 season. The German team became the only team other than Red Bull to win consecutive races this year, with George Russell winning in Austria and Lewis Hamilton winning in Silverstone.

They have closed the gap to the teams in front in the standings and have 221 points after 12 races and three Sprints.