In a statement released on X, formerly Twitter, Mercedes revealed that Hamilton, who was under contract with the team until the end of 2025, “has activated a release option in the contract announced last year.” Ferrari, on the other hand, confirmed that the British driver would be joining them on a “multi-year contract.”
In his statement on the Mercedes website, Hamilton expressed gratitude for his 11-year tenure with the team, stating, “Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old. It’s a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. But the time is right for me to take this step and I’m excited to be taking on a new challenge.”
The 39-year-old, who shares the record for the most F1 world titles with Michael Schumacher, joined Mercedes in 2013 after starting his career with McLaren in 2007. His time with Mercedes saw remarkable success, including six titles over seven years.
Despite Mercedes’ recent struggles to maintain dominance, Hamilton, who finished third in last year’s driver standings, signed a contract extension in August, keeping him with the team until the end of the 2025 season. However, in a surprising move first reported by Sky Sports and Spanish media, Hamilton will now be joining one of Mercedes’ historic rivals.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff commented on Hamilton’s decision, stating, “We accept Lewis’s decision to seek a fresh challenge, and our opportunities for the future are exciting to contemplate.”
Hamilton will be partnering with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari in 2025, replacing Carlos Sainz. Sainz confirmed on X that he would be leaving Ferrari at the end of 2024, with plans to announce his future endeavors “in due course.”
Phil Duncan, a CNN contributor and F1 correspondent with Press Association, remarked, “This is probably the biggest transfer in Formula One history and it really does breathe new life into the sport.” Hamilton’s move to Ferrari signifies a significant shift in the F1 landscape, adding anticipation and intrigue for the upcoming seasons.
