Lewis Hamilton is poised to join Ferrari in 2025 in a shock switch from Mercedes that will see the seven-time world champion partner Charles Leclerc, RACER understands.
Although Hamilton only signed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes in late 2023, it is believed there is a break clause at the end of the current season and Hamilton has opted to move to Ferrari after two years under new regulations where Mercedes has been unable to fight for a championship.
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Leclerc recently signed a long-term contract extension at Maranello, meaning Carlos Sainz will be replaced at the end of the current season, and Mercedes will have a vacancy alongside George Russell.
Ferrari finished second to Red Bull in 2022 and then was pipped by Mercedes to the runner-up spot last season, although the latter part of the year brought improved form from the Scuderia under new team principal Fred Vasseur as Sainz was the only driver outside of Red Bull to win a race.
Vasseur moved from Alfa Romeo ahead of last season, and has previously worked with Hamilton in junior formulae for his ART Grand Prix team.The move has yet to be officially announced, but RACER understands formal confirmation is expected by the end of the week.
Now 39, in Hamilton Ferrari will get the most successful driver of all time in terms of victories, pole positions and podiums, while he sits level with Michael Schumacher on seven drivers’ championships. Ferrari last won the drivers’ title with Kimi Raikkonen in 2007, the year before Hamilton’s first championship with McLaren.