Formula 1racer Lewis Hamilton is anticipated to make a stunning switch from Mercedes to Ferrari next year, marking a significant move that aligns one of the sport’s legends with its most iconic team. According to reports from Sky Sports News, the official announcement of the seven-time world champion’s move in 2025 is imminent, following a briefing for Mercedes staff. ESPN has also asserted that the transition is practically finalized, with Hamilton poised to replace Carlos Sainz, whose contract concludes this year.
As of now, NBC News has not independently verified this information. Mercedes chose not to comment, and there was no immediate response from Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton’s representatives to inquiries.
Should Hamilton part ways with his current team, he would complete the 2024 season with Mercedes before joining forces with Ferrari’s star driver, Charles Leclerc, who recently secured a multi-year contract extension with the Italian outfit.
The 39-year-old Hamilton has been associated with Mercedes since 2013, clinching six world championships with the team after a previous title win with McLaren. Despite narrowly missing out on an eighth championship in 2021 to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who subsequently dominated the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Hamilton has been a formidable force.
In the last two years, while Red Bull asserted dominance, Ferrari and Mercedes engaged in tight battles for second place in the constructors’ championship, with Ferrari finishing ahead in 2022 and Mercedes in 2023.
Speculation about Hamilton’s potential move to Ferrari circulated last year, but he dismissed the rumors during the Monaco Grand Prix, attributing them to the usual speculation during contract negotiations. Charles Leclerc expressed admiration for Hamilton’s skill and stated that having him as a teammate would be a learning opportunity for everyone on the grid.
The prospect of Hamilton achieving his goal of an eighth championship at Ferrari remains uncertain. Ferrari has not secured a drivers’ championship since 2007, despite having renowned drivers like Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. The team has grappled with mechanical failures and strategy mishaps in recent years but continues to hold a prestigious position in the world of Formula 1.
This surprising news emerges just over a month before the commencement of the new season, kicking off with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 2.
