Lewis Hamilton set to join Ferrari in bombshell F1 move

Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton is on the verge of completing a sensational switch to a new team in search of another title.

Lewis Hamilton. Picture: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton is on the verge of completing a sensational switch to Ferrari in a desperate last bid to win a record eighth world championship.

The 39-year-old Brit is poised to join the Italian team for the 2025 season – despite agreeing to a two-year deal with Mercedes last season, The Sun reports.

F1 insiders believe the deal could be completed within the next 24 hours in a bombshell move that would see Hamilton partner Charles Leclerc.

Hamilton has been linked with a switch to F1’s most famous team for a number of seasons but has always pledged his loyalty to Mercedes and their boss Toto Wolff.

Hamilton is close to a move that would rock F1. Picture: Angela Weiss/AFP

Wolff and the team’s designer, James Allison, have both recently agreed to extensions to their contracts with Mercedes in what is now being viewed as a final throw of the dice to convince Hamilton to stay on.

However, The Sun reports Hamilton will activate a break clause in his contract which will allow him to leave Mercedes at the end of this season.

Hamilton has been without a win since December of 2021 – the same season he lost the title to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Since then, Mercedes has delivered two dud cars that have both been plagued by problems, meaning he has been unable to fight for wins – or titles.

Ferrari chairman John Elkann has been a long-term admirer of Hamilton’s talent and the two have held talks in the past.

It was reported at the time that Ferrari would offer him around £40 million a year ($78 million) and it’s likely he would earn something in that region.

Lewis Hamilton. Picture: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Hamilton’s move would make sense, as he would offer Ferrari their chance to fight for championships.

He has also worked with Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur in the past when he drove for his ART Grand Prix squad in GP2.

The move would mean that Carlos Sainz would be out of a seat – although he has been heavily linked with a switch to the new Audi team, who will takeover at Sauber.

Meanwhile, Mercedes would need to find a replacement for Hamilton.

The deal will see Hamilton remain with the Silver Arrows until the end of 2024, which could make for an awkward season ahead.

Upon signing his new deal last summer, Hamilton said: “We have never been hungrier to win. We have learnt from every success but also every setback.

“We continue to chase our dreams; we continue to fight no matter the challenge and we will win again. I’m grateful to the team who have supported me both on and off the track.

“Our story isn’t finished, we are determined to achieve more together and we won’t stop until we do.”

Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate George Russell is also under contract until the end of 2025, while Mick Schumacher served as the Silver Arrows’ reserve driver last season.

Lewis Hamilton. Picture: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Earlier this week, Hamilton admitted to having a “love-hate” relationship with Formula 1 and even hinted that he could retire in the next 12 months.

Addressing his previous assertion several years ago that he would not still be in the sport at 40, he told Formule1.nl : “That is still possible.

“I have no set plan for the future – I still feel fit and still enjoy what I do.

“I’ve now learned that you should never say never in life.

“I never thought that, after such a long time in Formula One, I would still feel the same love for the sport.

“It is a love-hate relationship – at times you love it more than at others.

“I think there comes a point when you’ve had enough. But the love is still there.”

This story first appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission.