Lewis Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes to Ferrari confirmed

Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has confirmed news that has rocked the sport - as one driver’s brutal situation is laid bare.

The F1 world is in meltdown after seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton confirmed his move from Mercedes to Ferrari on Friday morning (AEDT).

The 39-year-old will join the Italian team for the 2025 season, despite agreeing to a new two-year deal with Mercedes just last season.

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The bombshell move, that will see Hamilton partner Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, instantly sent shockwaves through the sport.

Aussie F1 and McLaren star Oscar Piastri had one of the best reactions on social media as reports began to emerge about Hamilton’s move late on Thursday night (AEDT).

“Just been for a run. Have I missed anything?” Piastri wrote on X.

Just been for a run. Have I missed anything?

— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) February 1, 2024

Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft described the switch as “seismic”.

“Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari! Always thought it would happen one day, finally it will and it seems as early as 2025, Croft wrote on X.

“Seismic move just as it was when Lewis joined Mercedes and like then I don’t see the negatives. But wow, undoubtedly the biggest transfer on transfer deadline day!”

Former F1 driver turned media man Martin Brundle also shared his excitement about the partnership.

“I’m so looking forward to this,” Brundle wrote.

“We’ve asked him for years about it and he seemed nailed on at Merc for life, and always dismissive of moving. Hamilton and Leclerc in scarlet, that’s a story.”

Elsewhere, the reaction was mostly of astonishment from F1 fans, reporters and pundits - while many were simply celebrating his incredible achievements at Mercedes.

Hamilton to Ferrari in 2025?????

WHAT IS HAPPENING.

EVERYBODY STAY CALM.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

— Matt Gallagher (@MattP1Gallagher) February 1, 2024

Just woke up. Had to check twice if it was April fools today 🤯 #F1

— Pato O'Ward (@PatricioOWard) February 1, 2024

This is unreal!!!

Biggest driver move shock since….. Lewis left Mclaren for Mercedes!

Thought that Lewis would end his career at Merc but a chance to have a blast in the red car may have lured him in.

Fascinating stuff… https://t.co/uiItL9vVGI

— Karun Chandhok (@karunchandhok) February 1, 2024

Did these two know something we didnt? 😉🔮#F1@LewisHamilton@Charles_Leclercpic.twitter.com/8ACAE7JwqE

— Formula 1 (@F1) February 1, 2024

11 years, six world titles, 82 wins 🏆

Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton's partnership has been one of a kind 💫#F1@[e-mail]/hS9Dqdmk9c

— Formula 1 (@F1) February 1, 2024

Ferrari's stock is up 10% today on the back of a positive earnings report and news that Lewis Hamilton is leaving Mercedes to join the company's Formula 1 team.

This news has added $10 billion to Ferrari's market cap — and the stock is now trading at an all-time high. pic.twitter.com/IT6IQzmMJQ

— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) February 1, 2024

Meanwhile, Mercedes Team Principal and CEO Toto Wolff was glowing of Hamilton’s time with the team in a statement released on Friday.

“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,” Wolf said.

“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.”

Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff formed a legendary partnership at Mercedes. Picture: David Caird

Hamilton thanked Mercedes for an incredible partnership but said the time was right for him to make a move away.

Your 2025 line-up for Scuderia Ferrari! 🤯🤩#[e-mail]/EUBpsTnVue

— Formula 1 (@F1) February 1, 2024

“I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together,” Hamilton said.

“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.”

Lewis Hamilton (L) speaks with his future Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. (Photo by Chandan Khanna / AFP)

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

During negotiations with Mercedes in 2023 he said: “I do have faith that we will get there, we have been here before as a team, and while we have more and more new people, we still have a great values, I see great focus within everyone.

“I think for this year (2023) they thought the fundamentals were good and we just have to go here and it’s not the case. That’s why I was frustrated in February, because they hadn’t made the changes I’d asked (for). 

“But with the changes we are making, I hope I was, I hope we are right and, yeah, but I guess we have no idea what the Red Bulls are going to do.”

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

However, Hamilton will now 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 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 in previous years that Ferrari had offered him around $78 million to switch teams.

Lewis Hamilton. Picture: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Hamilton’s move makes sense, as he offers 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 means that Carlos Sainz is now out of a seat in brutal fashion – although he has been heavily linked with a switch to the new Audi team, who will take over at Sauber.

“Following today’s news, Scuderia Ferrari and myself will part ways at the end of 2024,” Sainz said.

“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.”

Carlos Sainz has been forced out at Ferrari. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

Meanwhile, Mercedes will need to find a replacement for Hamilton for the 2025 season onwards.

Upon signing his new deal with Mercedes 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.

Spanish driver Carlos Sainz Jr (L) speaks with Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)

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.”

- with The Sun