LONDON: Lewis Hamilton will leave McLaren and race for the Mercedes Formula 1 team next season after agreeing a three-year deal in which the Briton replace seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.
McLaren announced separately that Mexican Sergio Perez would partner 2009 champion Jenson Button in their line-up next season.
Friday’s announcements by Mercedes and McLaren ended an almost umbilical link between Hamilton and Mercedes-powered McLaren.
McLaren have backed the Briton since his early teens when he was making an impression in karting and the first black F1 world champion, whose humble background contrasts with the Monaco lifestyle he now enjoys, has never driven for anyone else but said it was time for a fresh challenge.
“Mercedes-Benz has such an incredible heritage in motorsport, along with a passion for winning which I share,” said the 27-year-old Hamilton.
“Together, we can grow and rise to this new challenge.”
British media reports suggested the deal was worth US$ 97.15 million, with Hamilton in line for a basic annual salary of around 15 million.
There was no word on Schumacher’s future plans, with the 43-year-old former Ferrari ace widely expected to retire for the second time after making a comeback in 2010.
“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,” Schumacher said in a statement.
“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,” the German legend added.
Schumacher has been on the podium just once since his comeback, in Valencia this year, and has finished only half of the races this season.
With Hamilton moving to Mercedes, the sport will have five world champions at different teams next season even without Schumacher.
Hamilton, who is fourth in the current championship and 52 points behind Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso with six races remaining, will partner Nico Rosberg next year.
Mercedes have won one race since they took over the Brawn GP team in 2009 but principal Ross Brawn said Hamilton’s arrival meant they could now match any team on the grid.
“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,” said Brawn.
McLaren, who made sure their announcement was ahead of Mercedes’s, also made positive noises about the 22-year-old Perez.
“We’re convinced that he’s not only talented and quick, but also that he’s willing and eager to learn,” McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarshsaid. “He’s perfectly poised to develop into a world championship challenger.”
The sudden break-through in the driver market will now put Ferrari into focus, with Felipe Massa out of contract and his fate yet to be decided, as well as opening up a vacancy at Sauber. (Reuters)