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British Formula One racing legend Lewis Hamilton is reportedly set to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari for the 2025 season, severing ties with the team one-year ahead of the original contract end.
The move, which could be officially announced as early as Thursday evening, comes after a decade-long stint with Mercedes-AMG Petronas during which Hamilton earned an astounding $449.5 million, making him one of the highest-paid athletes globally.
Despite no official statements from either Ferrari or Mercedes, sources with knowledge of the matter revealed that the Mercedes F1 staff were informed of Hamilton’s departure in a meeting with team principal Toto Wolff and technical director James Allison on Thursday afternoon.
Hamilton’s record-breaking journey: From McLaren triumph to Ferrari ambitions
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion and the most successful driver in F1 history with 103 wins and 104 pole positions, joined Mercedes in 2013 from McLaren.
Since then, he has clinched six world titles with the team, bringing his total championship count to seven. The 39-year-old driver, who has not won a race since December 2021, is now eyeing a record eighth world title with Ferrari.
Having been linked to Ferrari multiple times throughout his F1 career, Hamilton’s anticipated move to the Italian team marks a significant chapter in his racing journey. Last summer, he extended his contract with Mercedes until the end of 2025, alongside teammate George Russell.
Hamilton’s illustrious career, which commenced with a championship win with McLaren in 2008, has seen him dominate the F1 scene under the Mercedes banner.
His six additional titles in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 signify an era of unparalleled success. Surpassing Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 wins, Hamilton boasts 103 career race victories, leaving Sebastian Vettel trailing with 53.
Driving success: Hamilton’s career earnings skyrocket to $512.16 million
Notably, from 2014 to 2021, Hamilton consistently secured either first or second place in the season standings, except for a narrow loss to Max Verstappen in 2021. Despite Verstappen’s consecutive championships in 2022 and the 2023 season, Hamilton’s legacy as the most successful driver in F1 history remains intact.
As the 2023 Formula 1 season concluded, Hamilton’s career earnings surged to an impressive $512.16 million, placing him among a select group of athletes with career earnings surpassing $500 million. Estimates suggest that his career earnings may exceed the $600 million mark by 2025, further solidifying his financial and sporting legacy.
