Lewis Hamilton shocked 
Formula 1 fans worldwide when it was announced that he would leave 
Mercedes for 
Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season. After spending 12 years with Mercedes, he decided to move to the Maranello-based team, thus ending one of the more iconic partnerships in 
F1 history.
 Hamilton is currently the second-oldest driver on the 
Formula 1 grid. At this point in his career, a team change was unexpected, but Hamilton thinks it was just what he needed. He said the move to 
Ferrari "re-sparks motivation."Hamilton doesn't take the move to Ferrari for granted. 
The 
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was 
Lewis Hamilton's last drive for Mercedes. During the race weekend, his upcoming move to Ferrari was widely discussed. When asked about the move, he said, 
"It's a dream scenario for any driver to have an opportunity like this." The seven-time world champion continued. "So don't take that for granted. Massive respect for Carlos [Sainz] and everything he's done within the team. I remember when I joined Mercedes, and it's not an easy step to enter a new team.". Hamilton also acknowledged that "it takes time to build new relationships and learn the tools."
As far as he stands with the actual move, he plans to "come into next year with that same focus, that same might that I had when I joined Mercedes" and "Ultimately, that leap of faith is exciting and exhilarating." 
Could he win his eighth championship with Ferrari and finally bring the trophy back home to Italy?
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