The bombshell news is now confirmed. Britain’s Lewis Hamilton is joining Scuderia Ferrari next year, agreeing on a multi-year deal. It will bring an end to a remarkable 11-year relationship with the works Mercedes team at the conclusion of the 2024 season.
On Thursday afternoon UK time, the Mercedes staff at Brackley received confirmation of the news from Toto Wolff following reports on Thursday morning that Hamilton was making the sensational switch next year. According to Sky Sports, the meeting lasted just 10 minutes.
Hamilton’s time at Mercedes has been nothing short of stunning. Although he’s not won a race over the last two seasons, 82 victories, six Drivers’ Championships, eight Constructors’ Championships and 78 pole positions shows the remarkable numbers he’s put up. Hamilton holds the outright win and pole records, and he is tied with Michael Schumacher at the top of the list in regards to Drivers’ Championships on 7.
However, he has decided to embark on a new challenge as his career on track in F1 is coming towards its end by signing for Scuderia Ferrari. Can he surpass Michael Schumacher by winning his eighth title with the team the German great won five at? Time will tell.
Lewis Hamilton
“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. 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. 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% committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember.”
Toto Wolff
“In terms of a team-driver pairing, our relationship with Lewis has become the most successful the sport has seen, and that’s something we can look back on with pride; Lewis will always be an important part of Mercedes motorsport history. However, we knew our partnership would come to a natural end at some point, and that day has now come. We accept Lewis’s decision to seek a fresh challenge, and our opportunities for the future are exciting to contemplate. But for now, we still have one season to go, and we are focused on going racing to deliver a strong 2024.”
Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025, on a multi-year contract.
It means Carlos Sainz will leave the team after four seasons. The Spaniard secured his first pole and victory at Ferrari at the 2022 British Grand Prix. He backed it up with a second win in Singapore last year — the only non-Red Bull win of 2023.
Carlos Sainz
Following today’s news, Scuderia Ferrari and myself will part ways at the end of 2024.
We still have a long season ahead of us and, like always, I will give my absolute best for the Team and for the Tifosi all around the world.
News about my future will be announced in due course.
The opportunity for Ferrari to go and get Hamilton was too good for the Italian giants to turn down, and it was a chance the Brit wants to take as well.
Lewis Hamilton vs Charles Leclerc promises to be one of the storylines of 2025.
