Lewis Hamilton has insisted he isn't leaving Mercedes for Ferrari because he's 'unhappy' or due to any 'relationship issues'.
The 39-year-old is currently spending his last season with the Silver Arrows, who have struggled to get near Red Bull so far.
Hamilton joined Mercedes when he was a teenager but, after six F1 triumphs with the team, has opted to pursue a new challenge with Ferrari next year.
After confirming his departure, there were claims that he was leaving because he was unhappy - while rumours also suggested his relationship with Toto Wolff and other staff members had deteriorated.
Lewis Hamilton has shut down rumours of relationship issues and being unhappy as Mercedes star prepares for Ferrari move
CBS
But the Stevenage-born racer, speaking to CBS, insists that isn't the case.
"For me, this whole journey has been massively emotional, just because I have so much love for this team," he said.
"I'm not leaving because I'm unhappy there. I'm not leaving because of relationship issues.
"They've been with me through thick and thin, it's definitely a strange transition at the moment."
Hamilton was, until 2021, the dominant driver on the grid.
Yet the veteran has been gazumped by Max Verstappen, who is currently seeking a fourth F1 title in a row.
Hamilton admits he's had to change his mindset amid Mercedes' lack of success, with the 39-year-old without a race win since the 2021 Saudi Arabia GP.
But he insists he enjoys the challenge of rallying the team together.
"We exist to win, and when you're not winning, your perspective has to shift," he said.
"It's just then about chasing and it's about improvement. It's about coming together. How can we make improvements? How can we get back to where we want to be?
"And [then] rallying everyone up. I actually really enjoy that experience."
With Hamilton off at the end of the season, it'll be fascinating to see who Mercedes replace him with.
Talk of a blockbuster move for Verstappen continues to rumble on, despite Christian Horner insisting the Dutchman is happy at Red Bull.
There have even been suggestions Mercedes are set to meet with Verstappen to discuss a move.
And Wolff was coy when quizzed on Verstappen after the Miami Grand Prix.
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Lewis Hamilton has admitted he's had to adjust his mindset amid the plight of Mercedes
REUTERS
“There’s always plenty of meetings, I can’t really say about the second driver,” he said.
“I think we’ve talked about the possibilities. I want to be fair to these guys and not make it look like we are playing chess with humans because we are not doing that.
“I think we want to take our time, see where Max’s thinking goes, and at the same time monitor the other drivers.
“Carlos [Sainz] was very strong in Miami again and that’s why we are a little bit in an observation mode at the moment.”
Wolff also said Verstappen should stay at Red Bull, too.
Lewis Hamilton could yet to be replaced by Max Verstappen at Mercedes with Toto Wolff refusing to rule out a controversial move
REUTERS
“If I was him [Verstappen], I wouldn’t leave – at least for 2025,” he added.
“But he’s the leading driver, he’s the top guy at the moment and that’s why it’s for him to take those decisions.
“There may not be any decisions to take, maybe everything continues like it is, but that is then also guidance for us.”
