Mercedes has revealed that Lewis Hamilton has activated the release clause in his contract to leave the team to join Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Ferrari announced on Thursday night that seven-time world champion Hamilton will join the team from next season on a multi-year contract.
Mercedes announced in a statement: “The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team and Lewis Hamilton will part ways at the end of the 2024 season.”
“Lewis had a release option activated in his contract announced last August, so this season will be his final drive with the Silver Arrows.”
Hamilton added: “I’ve had a great 11 years with this team and I’m very proud of what we achieved together. Mercedes has been a part of my life since I was 13.”
“The decision to leave was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make, as this is where I grew up. However, it is the right time for me to take this step. , I’m excited to take on a new challenge.”A new challenge.”
“I will forever be grateful for the incredible support of the Mercedes family, especially Toto’s friendship and leadership, and I look forward to finishing high together. This season I hope to perform at my best and achieve strong results. I’m 100 percent committed to getting there.”Playing for the Silver Arrows last year was unforgettable.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz, Damon Hill and Karun Chandhok give their thoughts on the monumental news that Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari in 2025.
Hamilton will partner Charles Leclerc at the Italian team in a blockbuster line-up featuring F1’s fastest driver and two of its biggest names. This leaves Carlos Sainz looking for another seat on the grid after this season, when his contract expires.
Sainz said in a statement: “Following today’s news, Scuderia Ferrari and I will be parting ways at the end of 2024.”
“We still have a long season ahead of us. As always, I will give my all for the team and for the tifosi around the world. News regarding my future will be announced in due course.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Sky F1’s Jenson Button wants former teammate Fernando Alonso to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for the 2025 season.
Wolff: Accept Hamilton’s decision
Hamilton, who turns 39 in January and will be 40 by the time he begins his new career in Italy, has joined from McLaren in 2013 at a time when the driver and team have broken F1 records. He has won six of his seven world titles with Mercedes. .
Mercedes will now begin searching for Hamilton’s replacement, with George Russell, who is under contract until the end of 2025, in the other seat.
“In terms of team and driver combinations, our relationship with Lewis has been one of the most successful in the history of our sport, and that’s something we can look back on with pride,” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
In a special edition of the F1 Show, Damon Hill and Natalie Pinkham discuss whether Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is the biggest in history.
“Lewis will always be an important part of Mercedes’ motorsport history, but we knew that our partnership would come to an end on its own at some point, and that day has come. ”
“We accept Lewis’ decision to seek a new challenge and look forward to considering future opportunities. But for now, we still have one season left and we are racing to deliver a strong 2024. I’m concentrating on that.”
Lewis Hamilton stats at McLaren and Mercedes
Hamilton and Ferrari finally get married
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater has explained why Lewis Hamilton is taking a “calculated risk” by moving from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 F1 season.
A high-profile marriage between F1’s current most famous driver and its most famous team has been speculated on and off for years, but when Hamilton agreed to a two-year contract extension with Mercedes in August last year. , the last chance for marriage seemed to have passed. I was planning to take him the night before his 41st birthday.
But that situation has now changed in the most unexpected way.
Hamilton has spoken admiringly of Ferrari and its history in the past, and although he owns a Ferrari road car, he has previously made clear he would be happy if his record-breaking career ended without driving motorsport’s most famous red. was.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton gave an insightful answer in 2019 when asked if he would feel unfulfilled if he didn’t drive for Ferrari.
Hamilton’s involvement with Mercedes dates back to 1998, when he first joined McLaren, which was then part-owned by Mercedes, at the age of 13. In a 2019 speech, Hamilton spoke about the importance of these long-standing bonds, acknowledging that “when you’re part of Mercedes, you’re part of the family for life as long as you’re with them.”
But he also warned, adding: “Loyalty is a very important part, but if there’s a moment in your life when you decide you want to change, that’s it.” [joining Ferrari] Could potentially be an option. ”
Sky F1 pundit talks about Hamilton’s blockbuster hit
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz, Damon Hill and Karun Chandhok give their thoughts on the monumental news that Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari in 2025.
Martin Brundle: “Lewis hasn’t won a race for a few years, but we’ve made some other changes he’s made, including bringing back Mark Hynes, his long-time mentor and eyes and ears in the paddock. I’ve seen it.
“I think he probably left saying, ‘I’m going to stop focusing on anything other than racing and go back to being a racing driver, Lewis Hamilton.’ This is great to motivate him and give him energy for this stage. I think it’s an opportunity for his career.
“There are some drivers who seem to have the energy and the determination to keep going. Fernando Alonso is one of them, and the other is Lewis Hamilton.”
Karun Chandhok: “Somehow, somewhere he lost confidence in the Mercedes project and doesn’t believe he’ll be given the chance to fight Max Verstappen, or it’s just a romantic temptation to drive in a red Ferrari. Raft”
Damon Hill: “Lewis has a racer’s instincts about which way the wind is blowing and I think he really put on his blinders, just like he did when he left McLaren for Mercedes.”
24 races in 2024! Watch every round of next season live on Sky Sports F1, starting with his Bahrain Grand Prix from February 29th to March 2nd. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month membership
Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp!
You can now start receiving messages and alerts for the latest sports news, analysis, in-depth features and videos from our dedicated WhatsApp channel.
Click here for details…