Hamilton's shock move to Ferrari in 2025

Formula One is set for its biggest driver move in recent history, with the official confirmation that Lewis Hamilton will depart Mercedes to join Ferrari in 2025.

Ferrari put out a statement saying;

"Hamilton has long been linked with the Italian outfit throughout his illustrious career but a perfect storm this season now makes the pairing a viable reality."

Hamilton-Mercedes endgame

Most crucially, Hamilton is reaching the end of his multi-year Mercedes contract which currently ties him to the Silver Arrows until the conclusion of the 2025 campaign.

I a surprising development that now paves the way for Hamilton’s Italian switch, Ferrari has found itself in a contract standstill with incumbent driver Carlos Sainz.

While Charles Leclerc recently secured a long-term extension with the team, Sainz and Ferrari have struggled to come to terms that both find agreeable since December.

This impasse has forced Ferrari’s hand into accelerating discussions with Hamilton to replace him for 2025.

The drawn-out negotiations have confused many in the paddock, given Sainz’s proven podium-winning capabilities demonstrated consistently over the past two seasons with the Prancing Horse.

As recently as September 2023, Sainz stood atop the rostrum at the Singapore Grand Prix.

For Hamilton though, joining Ferrari would represent the final missing piece in his legendary Formula 1 story.

Hamilton's dream

While his on-track brilliance is undisputed with 7 championships and over 100 race wins, Hamilton’s dream to go into the history books as a Ferrari champion has long driven his ambition.

Both team and driver stand to gain immensely from the partnership. Hamilton would bring unrivaled prestige and an invaluable commercial profile that aligns perfectly with Ferrari’s determined resurgence towards becoming World Champions once more.

As for Mercedes, losing Hamilton would leave an enormous hole in Germany’s flagship F1 team as they look to rediscover championship glory.

George Russell is poised to step up as team leader, but finding a driver with the sheer gravitas of Hamilton will prove a mighty challenge.

Paddock chatter in the lead-up to preseason testing later this month will undoubtedly now fixate on finalizing the Hamilton-Ferrari pact that once seemed inconceivable but now appears closer than ever to coming to spectacular fruition.

Dream team but won't happen.

Never say never though.

— F1News.live (@f1newslive_) March 17, 2023