Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has now been made official for 2025 as the six-time World Champion will leave Mercedes after the 2024 season.
In Short
- Hamilton won 6 World Championships with Mercedes
- Hamilton said leaving Mercedes was one of the toughest decisions he has made
- Hamilton’s move to Ferrari also confirmed Carlos Sainz’ exit from the team at the end of 2024 season
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for the 2025 F1 season has now been made official with the British driver parting ways with Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season.
Reports emerged on February 1, Thursday, that the 6-time World Champion is on the verge of completing a move to Ferrari. Hamilton had signed a two-year contract last August, but there was a release option that could be activated to allow him an early release.
Hamilton has now used the option, which means that the 2024 season will be his last with the Silver Arrows.
“The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team and Lewis Hamilton will part ways at the end of the 2024 season. Lewis has activated a release option in the contract announced last August and this season will therefore be his last driving for the Silver Arrows.”
“The news brings an end to what is currently a 17-year long relationship in F1 with Mercedes-Benz and an 11-year long partnership with the works team,” read the statement from Mercedes.
Ferrari have now confirmed the move for Hamilton in a statement on X.
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Hamilton will race alongside Charles Leclerc at Ferrari while Mercedes are on the hunt for a new driver for the 2025 season.
Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025, on a multi-year contract,” read the statement.
Decision to leave was one of the hardest ones I have ever had to make: Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton explained the call to end his stay at Mercedes as one of the hardest decisions he has ever made. The 6-time World Champion, however, stated that the time was right for him to take a new challenge.
“I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together. 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.”
Hamilton won six World Championships during time with Mercedes, who he had joined from McLaren in 2013. Hamilton’s move meant that Carlos Sainz would announce he would be leaving Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season as well.
The Spaniard would put out a statement on X to confirm the decision.
This article was originally published on India today
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