Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have been together for more than ten years. But now the dream combination has come to an end.
Formula 1 record world champion Lewis Hamilton is moving from Mercedes to Ferrari. The Italian racing team confirmed this on Thursday evening. “Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will join the team from 2025 on a multi-year contract,” the team wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Hamilton’s still racing team Mercedes also reported shortly before: “The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team and Lewis Hamilton will separate at the end of the 2024 season. Lewis has activated a clause in his contract.”
RTL/ntv, Sky Sports UK and “Bild” had previously reported. Accordingly, the 39-year-old will receive a contract with the Italians for the 2025 season.
According to Sky Sports UK and “Bild”, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has already confirmed the change to the employees of the team headquartered in Brackley, England. However, an official announcement of the change is still pending.
The English specialist magazine “Autosport”, among others, had previously reported on Hamilton’s intentions to change. Ferrari boss John Elkann is considered a “big admirer” of Hamilton and is said to have been a driving force behind the deal, reports “racingnews365.com”.
Hamilton would then drive alongside Charles Leclerc, who has been the central face of Ferrari to date. Carlos Sainz’s contract expires after the coming season and he would then have to look for a new team.
There has been speculation for a long time
Just last August, Mercedes extended the contracts with the two Brits Hamilton and teammate George Russell until the end of 2025. From 2026, new engine regulations will apply in the premier class of motorsport.
Since Hamilton’s defeat on the last lap in the 2021 season finale, Max Verstappen has dominated Formula 1 with Red Bull. Hamilton, with the Silver Arrows since 2013, and Mercedes only drive in their shadow.
There have been repeated speculations about Hamilton’s possible move to Ferrari in recent years. Now they are becoming reality.