Mercedes Formula 1 CEO and Team Principal Toto Wolff has reacted to Lewis Hamilton's decision to depart the squad.
Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of the upcoming F1 campaign and will join forces with rivals Ferrari on a multi-year deal.
The 39-year-old won six of his seven F1 titles with Mercedes, becoming statistically the most successful driver in the sport's history with the Brackley-based outfit.
Hamilton signed a two-year extension with Mercedes last year but the second season contained an option that Hamilton has opted to activate.
The seven-time World Champion formed a strong bond with Wolff during their decade-long partnership.
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While Wolff stated that he is looking to “exciting opportunities” beyond Hamilton's exit, the Austrian asserted that he is determined to see out the partnership on a strong note.
"In terms of a team-driver pairing, our relationship with Lewis has become the most successful the sport has seen, and that's something we can look back on with pride; Lewis will always be an important part of Mercedes motorsport history,” Wolff said.
“However, we knew our partnership would come to a natural end at some point, and that day has now come.
“We accept Lewis's decision to seek a fresh challenge, and our opportunities for the future are exciting to contemplate.
“But for now, we still have one season to go, and we are focused on going racing to deliver a strong 2024."
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