Hamilton 'knows' bombshell Ferrari move 'repercussions'

Lewis Hamilton "knows" that his bombshell move to Ferrari next season has "repercussions", according to the author of new book 'Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane'.

The seven-time world champion has just three races remaining with the Silver Arrows before moving to Maranello, a switch which was announced on February 1. 

Hamilton's transfer to Ferrari will see the 39-year-old be based outside of the United Kingdom for the first time in his career, with McLaren based in Woking, and Mercedes in Banbury. 

He has raced for Mercedes since leaving McLaren at the end of the 2012 F1 season, but has a relationship with the German manufacturer which dates back to his childhood. 

Because of his close relationship with Mercedes, it made telling the team's employees about his move that much more difficult, as revealed by author of the book, Matt Whyman.

"His team mean a great deal to him - all his engineers, Bono, all the team, they mean such a lot to him," Whyman told Mirror Sport. 

"Every year he takes them paint-balling, just a pre-season bonding experience, and it was all set up to go so he had to go to the paint-balling.

"He said to me that he arrived and he saw them all waiting to go in. He said he could not get out of the car for 20 minutes. 

"He was just so struck with, ‘What am I going to say to them after all of this time?’ He is very human. I do not think this was a robotic decision."

Mercedes 'understand' Hamilton decision

Hamilton has often been referred to as one of the most focused drivers on the grid, with the 105-time race winner having his eyes on clinching an unprecedented eighth F1 drivers' title before retiring. 

Ferrari could be where he achieves that; however, it is a move which will impact some of his friendships. 

According to Whyman, the veteran understands this, whilst Mercedes also understand why Hamilton wants to join Ferrari.

"I know Lewis can come across as very focused and it is a focused decision, but he is a human being, he knows that it has repercussions and on a friendship level, that was the thing that he cared about most of all," added Whyman.

"Talking to his colleagues, I think everyone understands. It is Ferrari, and this is a guy who has done everything - that is the one thing he has not done."