“Sharing information” theory floated as Lewis Hamilton prepares to go to Ferrari

Sergio Perez has mentioned “sharing information” as Lewis Hamilton enters his final year with Mercedes.

Hamilton will link up with Ferrari in 2025 in a move that has rocked Formula 1.

It means Mercedes must ensure his eventual departure does not cause a cloud to form over their 2024 season.

Red Bull’s Perez was asked about Hamilton’s decision to go to Ferrari.

“Interesting,” he said.

“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.

“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 dismissed the idea that Hamilton could take secrets to Ferrari next year.

“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 change of car is a guarantee in 2025, but Perez could also find himself in new machinery.

The Mexican driver is clinging onto his Red Bull drive but must convince the team to reward him with a new contract to ensure his spot next year.

As well as some damaging weekends - not least at home in Mexico last year - his relationship with teammate Max Verstappen has occasionally boiled over.

Perez insisted that he is still on good terms with Verstappen.

“We have a good relationship,” he said.

“We put the team in front of us. The relationship is very good.”

Red Bull are expected to resume their place at the front when F1 resumes in Bahrain for the first round of the season from February 29.

Who could challenge? Mercedes or Ferrari? McLaren or Aston Martin?

“It’s hard to say until we hit the track,” Perez answered.

“It’s such a long season that it doesn’t really matter what happens in the first three or four races.”