Sensation in Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton will move from Mercedes to Ferrari in 2025
February 1, 2024, 3:50 p.m
In the hunt for his eighth world title, Formula 1 record world champion Lewis Hamilton is causing a sensation. According to RTL/ntv information, the 39-year-old is moving to Ferrari for the 2025 season. The uniquely successful partnership with Mercedes will come to an end at the end of 2024 after 12 years.
Superstar Lewis Hamilton cannot resist the red temptation and, after more than a decade in the Mercedes, will compete for Ferrari in Formula 1 from 2025. According to RTL/ntv information, the decision about Hamilton’s future has been made – in favor of the Scuderia, which can look forward to the record world champion. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff explained consistent media reports to the workforce this Thursday afternoon; Mercedes and Ferrari have not yet officially commented on the spectacular development.
Hamilton’s final season in a Silver Arrow will begin in around a month. In 2025, the seven-time world champion would wear red – like the seven-time champion Michael Schumacher and the four-time title holder Sebastian Vettel. Mercedes only extended the contracts with Hamilton and his compatriot George Russell until the end of 2025 in August last year. There had always been speculation about a change. Hamilton moderated this quite gallantly, but also reported on his good relationship with Ferrari boss John Elkann and also with team boss Frédéric Vasseur.
It still seemed almost unimaginable that he could actually leave Mercedes. Under team boss Wolff, Hamilton became a consistent triumph for years. Coming into the 2013 season as Michael Schumacher’s successor after his final retirement, Hamilton became world champion in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. In 2016 he had to admit defeat to his then teammate Nico Rosberg. Since 2021 the title has gone to Max Verstappen.
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The Silver Arrows’ crisis in the past two years and the grueling wait of someone who is used to success for the next (it would be the 104th) victory since December 2021 are likely to have influenced Hamilton’s decision. However, Ferrari has been waiting for the next title success among the drivers since Kimi Räikkönen’s triumph in 2007 – Hamilton’s first year in Formula 1.
Hamilton’s designated teammate Charles Leclerc has also tried again and again in vain. The contract with the 26-year-old Monegasque was recently extended early. The Spaniard Carlos Sainz would have to vacate the cockpit for Hamilton after this season; he is already associated with Audi, which will take over the Sauber racing team in 2026. Who would succeed the Brit at Mercedes? There could be an opportunity for Mick Schumacher, who is also a reserve pilot this year and otherwise competes in long-distance races for the French Alpine team.
“Our story is not over yet, we are determined to achieve more together and we will not stop until we have achieved it,” Hamilton said during his last contract extension with Mercedes. The appeal of Ferrari and rumors of a move to Formula 1’s most prestigious racing team have accompanied him for years. Hamilton admitted last year that he had already imagined what it would be like to “drive in red.” “But then I go to my team, to Mercedes, and that is my home.” But now there is a surprising move to Maranello.