Lewis Hamilton to join Ferrari with star in advanced talks over shock move as secret Mercedes contract clause emerges
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 is poised to join the Italian team for the 2025 season – despite agreeing a two-year deal with Mercedes last season.
AlamyLewis Hamilton is reportedly nearing a sensational Mercedes departure[/caption]
GettyHamilton, 39, won the most recent of his seven world titles in 2020[/caption]
SplashThe Brit joined Toto Wolff’s team from McLaren in 2013[/caption]
F1 insiders believe the deal could be completed within the next 24 hours in a bombshell move that would see the Brit 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.
Wolff and the team’s designer, James Allison, have both recently agreed extensions to their contracts with Mercedes in what is now being viewed as a final throw of the dice to convince him to stay on.
However, SunSport understands that 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 2021 – the same season he lost the title to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Since then, Mercedes have delivered two dud cars that have been plagued by problems, meaning he has been unable to fight for wins – and titles.
Ferrari chairman John Elkann has been a long-term admirer of Hamilton’s talent and the two have held talks in the past.
Hamilton’s move would make sense as he would offer Ferrari their chance to fight for championships.
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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.
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 team-mate George Russell is also under contract until the end of 2025.
While Mick Schumacher served as the Silver Arrows’ reserve driver last season.
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.”
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