Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton on Thursday activated a release option in the Mercedes contract he signed in August in a bid to join join Ferrari from the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The bombshell announcement was confirmed by Mercedes on social media before Ferrari released a one-line statement, saying that he is joining them on a "multi-year" deal. Hamilton will replace Carlos Sainz at Ferrari.
"Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025, on a multi-year contract," Ferrari said.
Charles Leclerc, who signed his fresh contract with Ferrari last week, will now be Hamilton's new teammate starting next season.
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"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 Hamilton in the Mercedes statement. "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."
Hamilton is the most successful driver in F1 history with a tally of 103 wins and 104 pole positions. The legendary Michael Schumacher is the only other driver with seven world titles. However, the 39-year-old, who joined Mercedes in 2013 from McLaren and won six world titles with the team, has not won a race since December 2021.
{{/usCountry}}Hamilton is the most successful driver in F1 history with a tally of 103 wins and 104 pole positions. The legendary Michael Schumacher is the only other driver with seven world titles. However, the 39-year-old, who joined Mercedes in 2013 from McLaren and won six world titles with the team, has not won a race since December 2021.
{{/usCountry}}Hamilton added that he wanted to finish his time at Mercedes on a high and stands "100% committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember".
The Briton will replace Spanish driver Sainz at Ferrari, who released a statement about his future moments after Hamilton's news. It read: "Following today's news, Scuderia Ferrari and myself will part ways at the end of 2024."
Meanwhile, Mercedes will begin their search for a partner to Britain's George Russell. Sainz could be a possibility, although he has also been linked to Audi.