Sergio Perez has highlighted the significance of “sharing information” as Lewis Hamilton embarks on his final year with Mercedes.
Hamilton’s forthcoming move to Ferrari in 2025 has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, compelling Mercedes to ensure that his eventual departure does not cast a shadow over their 2024 campaign.
When questioned about Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari, Red Bull’s Perez remarked, “Interesting.” He added, “But more than that, the dynamics will be interesting to watch from the outside.
“Having a driver who is moving teams… we all know how jealous the teams are, at sharing information.
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“Lewis has been many years there, and will be taking a lot of knowledge to another team. It is an interesting dynamic to watch from the outside.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff had already addressed concerns regarding Hamilton potentially transferring sensitive information to Ferrari.
“In terms of development going forward, it’s something we need to look at.
When it comes to 2025 we will evaluate later in the season what it means in terms of technical information,” Wolff told media, including Crash.net. “But it’s not something that bothers me at all.
We have engineers that go to other teams and the notice periods are sometimes as short as six months.
I don’t have any doubt in Lewis’ integrity in terms of sharing information.
We want to make sure that this is a successful season for both drivers and for Mercedes and all of us will give our utmost to achieve that.”
Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari in 2025 is confirmed, but Perez himself may find his seat in jeopardy. While clinging onto his Red Bull drive, he must persuade the team to extend his contract for next year.
Despite occasional tensions with teammate Max Verstappen, Perez affirmed their good relationship, stating, “We have a good relationship.
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We put the team in front of us. The relationship is very good.”
As Formula 1 gears up for the first round of the season in Bahrain, the question remains: Who will challenge the frontrunners? Perez commented, “It’s hard to say until we hit the track.
It’s such a long season that it doesn’t really matter what happens in the first three or four races.”