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Summary:
- Lewis Hamilton has signed a multi-year contract with Ferrari that will start in 2025
- Hamilton and Mercedes agree to part ways on good terms
- Hamilton hasn’t won a race since the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021
Formula One fans were surprised to learn that F1 champ Lewis Hamilton has decided to leave Mercedes and join rival Ferrari.
While there were rumours circulating that Hamilton could consider moving to Red Bull or Ferrari, there were many who felt that the 7 time F1 Champ would finish out his career with Mercedes where he won 6 of those F1 Championships.
Hamilton Signs Multi-Year Contract With Ferrari
Hamilton signed a two-year contract with Mercedes last year and had another year to go in 2025 with Mercedes. However, his contract had a release option and Hamilton decided to use it and make the move to Ferrari where he will replace Carlos Sainz.
Hamilton who is 39 signed a multi-year contract with Ferrari and the financial terms of the contract have not been disclosed.
Ferrari has pursued Hamilton for quite a few years now as they have not won an F1 Championship since 2007 when Kimi Raikkonen was racing for them. They are looking to turn things around when Hamilton (who is tied with Michael Schumacher with 7 Championships) joins them.
Hamilton has not had any success with Mercedes since his controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021 where he was looking to win his 8th Championship but was denied after the race director bent F1 rules that gave Red Bull’s Max Verstappen an advantage and allowed him to win!
Hamilton and Mercedes Set To Part On Good Terms
Hamilton said that deciding to leave Mercedes and make the move to Ferrari was one of the hardest decisions he has had to make in his life. Hamilton who has a good relationship with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said he was fully committed to driving with Mercedes this season and giving it his best.
In a statement, Hamilton said
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 [Wolff, Mercedes team principal] for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together
Wolff said
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.
Will Lewis Hamilton bring his Mercedes time to end with a 8th Driver’s Championship or will his move to Ferrari become a distraction. Find out the latest odds ahead of the new Formula 1 Season with our selection of the best F1 sportsbooks.
