According to BBC Sport, Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time champion, is expected to make a surprising switch to Ferrari for the 2025 season. It is understood that an agreement between Hamilton and Ferrari has been reached and could be announced soon. Ferrari is keen on having Hamilton join Charles Leclerc for the 2025 season.
Despite signing a two-year contract with Mercedes for 2024 and 2025, Hamilton can choose to leave after one season. The possibility of Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025 was reported in the Italian and Spanish media and has since been confirmed by BBC Sport as a serious possibility.
Mercedes team members have reportedly been summoned for a team briefing with Toto Wolff and James Allison, likely to announce Hamilton’s departure. The deal with Hamilton transpired quickly after Ferrari president John Elkann learned that Hamilton was available and swiftly moved to secure his signature.
Hamilton won his latest world title in 2020 and signed his most recent two-year deal with Mercedes in August, extending his tenure with the team to 13 years. In 2019, Ferrari admitted to discussing with Hamilton about a potential future move.
Since the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where Hamilton lost to Max Verstappen, he has been motivated to win his eighth title. Hamilton’s move to Ferrari will significantly impact F1, similar to when he left McLaren for Mercedes in 2013.
Despite expressing his desire to stay with Mercedes, the opportunity to end his career with Ferrari may be too enticing for Hamilton to refuse. This move will disrupt the F1 driver market, with Mercedes needing to find a replacement for Hamilton and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz seeking new employment.
