Mercedes to treat 2024 as Hamilton's 'farewell tour' – Brundle

Lewis Hamilton announcing his 2025 switch to Ferrari prior to the 2024 campaign has put Mercedes in an odd position, in regard to how they work with the seven-time World Champion.

It's not common for a driver to announce a switch of this magnitude so early, although Hamilton is no ordinary driver. The 103-time race winner is statistically the greatest driver in the history of F1 and will undoubtedly improve Ferrari next year.

Considering that Hamilton has his move to Maranello on the horizon, questions have been asked about how motivated he'll be for 2024 and whether he won't push to the limit. Ferrari are also a huge rival of Mercedes', something the Silver Arrows will be aware of.

Hamilton's relationship with the German manufacturer is a special one though, considering that whilst 2024 will be his 12th season with them, his relationship with Mercedes-Benz actually dates back to when he was just 13 years old.

With this in mind and taking into account what Hamilton is like as an individual, Brundle is confident that the 39-year-old will be giving his all until the chequered flag in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the end of the season and that his motivation shouldn't be questioned.

Hamilton will give 'absolutely everything'

"I have no doubt he will give it absolutely everything until the last lap of the last race in Abu Dhabi for Mercedes-Benz, to be wearing those overalls holding that steering wheel, representing 1,500 people," Brundle said on the Sky F1 podcast.

"If everybody's smart, and I think they are all very smart people, they've had such a wonderful relationship together, Hamilton, Mercedes-Benz, Toto and the team. I think they'll see it as a farewell tour. That's how I think they should and will treat it. And then wishing farewell and hope that he loses in a Ferrari."

Regardless of how Mercedes treat their relationship with Hamilton this year, there will be a point where the veteran will no longer be included in conversations about car developments, to reduce the information he can take with him to Ferrari.

"I think you've got this transition point where Lewis will stop being invited to meetings, and will not understand what's going on with the development of the car and in the simulator," added Brundle. "The team consciously and subconsciously, will favour George [Russell]. They've got to."