Lewis Hamilton To Make Shock Switch To Ferrari In 2025: Report

Update:

Lewis Hamilton's departure from the Mercedes team at the conclusion of the 2024 season has been officially confirmed. He will be joining the Scuderia Ferrari team, a decision that has been verified by both Hamilton and Ferrari. In addition, Carlos Sainz Jr, the current Ferrari driver, has announced that this will be his final year with the team and will soon provide an update on his future plans.

It is believed that Hamilton has signed a two-year contract with Ferrari, ensuring his presence on the track in 2026 when the new engine regulations take effect. Internally, Ferrari holds the belief that they will possess the leading engine class under the new regulations, which may have influenced Hamilton's decision to switch teams.

Notably, Ferrari has also secured the services of Loic Serra, the former head of performance engineering at Mercedes and a trusted associate of Hamilton. Serra, recruited by Ferrari team boss Fred Vassuer, will commence his role with the team in 2025 following a substantial hiatus. Hamilton's dissatisfaction with the W13 and W14 cars, and his belief that Mercedes had pursued an erroneous development path for those vehicles, aligns with Serra's perspective.

Lewis Hamilton is poised to make a surprising move to Ferrari, bringing an end to his 12-year partnership with the Mercedes team, with whom he secured six of his seven world titles. This transition has been orchestrated by Ferrari team principal Fred Vassuer, who previously served as Hamilton's team boss during his GP2 days, and Ferrari chairman John Elkann, who personally led discussions with the seven-time world champion. Hamilton stands as the most successful driver in the history of Formula 1. However, following his near miss at winning a record-breaking eighth title in the final moments of the 2021 season, he has appeared disillusioned with Mercedes, whose dominance has faded in the face of Red Bull and Max Verstappen's formidable presence. Since the implementation of the new ground effect rules, Ferrari has emerged as the sole team capable of challenging Red Bull, securing five victories over the course of two seasons and more than 20 pole positions.

Although it was initially announced in 2023 that Hamilton had signed a two-year extension with Mercedes, it has now come to light that the agreement was for one year with an additional one-year option. While this has yet to be officially confirmed, multiple sources such as The Race and SkySports have reported that an official announcement may be imminent. In fact, this revelation explains why Charles Leclerc has been awarded a multi-year contract by Ferrari, whereas Carlos Sainz Jr's future with the team beyond 2024 remains uncertain, as his current contract is set to expire in that year.

Hamilton has frequently expressed his desire to conclude his career at Ferrari, considering it a fitting way to bookend his record-breaking journey, which has seen him secure seven world titles and over 100 race victories, surpassing even the great Michael Schumacher. Notably, all of Hamilton's Formula 1 wins have been achieved with a car powered by a Mercedes engine, as his first team, McLaren, was also a Mercedes customer. Hamilton experienced a remarkable rookie season with McLaren, narrowly missing out on the title to Kimi Raikkonen in 2007 before triumphing in 2008.

Leclerc has been anointed as Ferrari's future star, having progressed through their academy system and swiftly ascended to the main team after just one year with Sauber, where he replaced Raikkonen. In his first two years with the Scuderia, Leclerc outperformed four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, ultimately leading to Vettel's departure and creating an opportunity for Carlos Sainz Jr. In 2023, Sainz became the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race in Singapore. Even in 2022, Sainz secured a victory, yet he was overshadowed by Leclerc, who claimed two race wins and numerous pole positions.

A partnership between Hamilton and Leclerc would undoubtedly be explosive, potentially forming the most gifted pairing on the grid. By the time Hamilton joins Ferrari, he will be 40 years old. However, Fernando Alonso's successful performance in his 40s serves as proof that modern drivers can maintain their peak capabilities, and Hamilton, known for his exceptional fitness, exemplifies this.

James Vowles, the former head of strategy at Mercedes and current Williams team boss, has described Hamilton as the most gifted driver he has ever worked with, ranking him higher than Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher, who secured five titles with the Italian team in the 2000s. Interestingly, Schumacher was later recruited by Mercedes for three seasons after retiring from Ferrari, only to be replaced by Hamilton, who embarked on a record-breaking tenure with the team.