F1: Lewis Hamilton Heads to Ferrari in 2025

Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari in 2025, after the 7-time world champion splits from Mercedes

Seven-time Formula One (F1) World Drivers’ Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton has made a shocking exit from his current Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, as the Brit is poised to join the Scuderia Ferrari F1 team in 2025.

As confirmed by Mercedes’ official statement, Hamilton has activated the release clause on his current Merc contract to leave the Brackley-based outfit by the end of the 2024 season.

"The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team and Lewis Hamilton will part ways at the end of the 2024 season. Lewis has activated a release option in the contract announced last August, and this season will therefore be his last driving for the Silver Arrows," Merc's official statement reads.

“Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025, on a multi-year contract,” Ferrari’s statement reads.

Hamilton (left) is poised to partner with Charles Leclerc (right) at the Scuderia from 2025 onwards

Hamilton will join Monegasque racer Charles Leclerc at the Scuderia in 2025 on a multi-year contract deal at an undisclosed fee. This means that Leclerc’s current partner, Carlos Sainz Jr., is leaving the Maranello outfit, as his contract is set to expire by the end of this season. Furthermore, Hamilton is also set for a reunion with his former boss at ART in GP2, Fred Vassuer, who is now in charge of the Maranello outfit.

More importantly, this move ultimately sees an end to Hamilton’s long stint with Mercedes, having joined the Brackley outfit back in 2013. Even before his departure to Merc, Hamilton has always been tied to the German automaker, with his previous McLaren machine also being powered by a Mercedes-Benz power unit.

Lewis & Merc managed to clinch eight consecutive F1 WCC titles during their era of dominance

That move turned out to be a fruitful one for both Hamilton and Merc, as the Brit managed to clinch six WDC titles with 82 wins while helping Mercedes secure eight consecutive World Constructors’ Championship titles along the way.

"I have had an amazing 11 years with this team, and I'm so proud of what we have achieved together. Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old,” said Lewis in his official statement.

“I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto, for his friendship and leadership, and I want to finish on a high together. I am 100 percent committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows one to remember."