Enlarge image

Lewis Hamilton at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Photo: Beata Zawrzel / NurPhoto / IMAGO

Formula 1 record world champion Lewis Hamilton, 39, will be moving to Ferrari next year, causing a sensation in racing.

The Brit is leaving Mercedes after twelve years together. Hamilton signed a contract with Ferrari for several years. Hamilton became world champion six times in a Mercedes between 2014 and 2020. He also won his first title in 2008 for McLaren with a Mercedes drive.

Hamilton will replace Carlos Sainz at Ferrari next year; the Spaniard's contract expires at the end of 2024. The Brit's teammate is Ferrari pupil Charles Leclerc, whose working paper was only extended last week. Hamilton only extended his contract with Mercedes until the end of 2025 last year, but it was unclear whether the 39-year-old had an exit clause.

“Our partnership with Lewis has become the most successful team and driver pairing in the history of our sport,” said Mercedes Motorsport Director Toto Wolff. “We knew that it would come to a natural end at some point, and that day has now come. We accept Lewis' decision to take on a new challenge while offering us exciting opportunities for the future.«

Hamilton spoke of “one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. But the time is ripe for me to take this step and I'm looking forward to taking on a new challenge."

According to the BBC, Mercedes Motorsport Director Toto Wolff and Technical Director James Allison summoned all team members to a briefing on Thursday. It is believed that the meeting was about Hamilton's farewell.

Last week, Ferrari extended Charles Leclerc's contract "for several years." The Monegasque is a pupil of the racing team and has so far been the face of the Scuderia.

Next year they will have a real champion again - a record world champion in fact. The other – Michael Schumacher – shaped an era for the Italians from 1996 to 2006. After a temporary end to his career, he drove for Mercedes for three years from 2010 and his work there laid the foundation for Hamilton's later successes.

The change is likely to cause some movement in the Formula 1 driver market, but the vacant position at Mercedes next to George Russell from 2025 is difficult to adequately fill: the other top drivers such as Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Lando Norris (McLaren) have long-term contracts with their teams. As things stand, Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) would be available - at 42, the two-time world champion is the oldest driver in the premier class.

Hamilton had not achieved a Grand Prix victory since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021. The dry spell at Ferrari is even longer; the proud team has been waiting for the title in the Drivers' World Championship since 2007. Nevertheless, Hamilton has repeatedly been linked to Maranello, most recently in May 2023. Ferrari supervisory board chairman John Elkann is said to have sought contact with Hamilton at the time, but he publicly emphasized: "I see myself at Mercedes, if I'm honest."

Hamilton has now changed his mind; at the age of 39, he too wants to sit in the red racing car. .

Who will succeed the Brit at Mercedes has not yet been announced. Replacement driver Mick Schumacher could have a chance to return to a regular cockpit due to Hamilton's departure.

lpz/dpa/sid