Multiple sources have told ESPN that Lewis Hamilton is close to completing a sensational switch from Mercedes to Ferrari in 2025.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion and the most successful Formula One driver in history, signed what was thought to be a two-year contract extension with Mercedes last year, but it now appears that the second year may have been an option.
Mercedes and Ferrari declined to comment to ESPN.
Although not officially confirmed, sources told ESPN that the deal is nearly complete, with Hamilton replacing Spanish driver Carlos Sainz. Ferrari, which has competed in every F1 season and is often regarded as having the most clout, has not won a driver's championship since Kimi Raikkonen did so in 2007. Hamilton, who is tied with Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher for seven titles, now has the opportunity to end Ferrari's drought and become F1's most decorated champion in the process. If he does so, he will become the first driver to win championships with three different teams since Juan Manuel Fangio in 1957.
Hamilton, who is tied with Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher for seven titles, now has the opportunity to end Ferrari's drought and become F1's most decorated champion in the process. If he does so, he will become the first driver to win championships with three different teams since Juan Manuel Fangio in 1957. Hamilton, 39, has been linked with Ferrari, the sport's most successful team, throughout his career, but appeared set to finish with Mercedes.
Last season, before signing his Mercedes extension, Hamilton dismissed speculation about a move to the Italian team, but it appears that talks have resumed in recent months.
According to an ESPN source, Ferrari chairman John Elkann is determined to bring in a big name. Elkann is known to have long admired Hamilton.
Ferrari had at least one world champion driver on its roster from 1996, when Schumacher joined, to 2020 when Sebastian Vettel left at the end of the year. In 2021, Sainz will join Charles Leclerc, who recently signed a long extension that is expected to keep him with Ferrari beyond 2026.
Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur worked with Hamilton in his junior career, guiding the British driver to a GP2 (now Formula 2) title with the ART team in 2006, and is likely to play an important role in the negotiations. Ferrari has been stalling on a similar extension for Sainz, who now appears to be a key player in future driver market developments.
Sainz had been widely rumored to be a candidate for Audi's upcoming Formula One project in 2026, but he now appears to be out of a drive one year early.
Former Red Bull product Sainz could now be an outside bet to return to his former employer in 2025, with Sergio Pérez's future still uncertain, and would also be a strong option for Mercedes to fill Hamilton's void. Hamilton's departure will leave a significant void at Mercedes, which he joined in 2013.
He won six drivers' championships with the team, adding to his McLaren title in 2008, and was part of the team's record-breaking run of eight constructors' championships from 2014-2021.
0 Comments