Lewis Hamilton to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari for 2025 F1 season

Hamilton signed a new two-year deal with Mercedes last summer but looks to be on his way out after winning six of his seven world titles with the team.

His current contract with Mercedes is due to expire at the end of 2025 but he will depart the team after this season and replace Carlos Sainz at Ferrari.

Mercedes and Ferrari declined to comment on the speculation.

Sky Sports said it understood Mercedes principal Toto Wolff would brief the team before a formal announcement later on Thursday.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton is the most successful driver in F1 history with 103 wins and 104 pole positions.

The Briton has been linked with Maranello repeatedly during his career, particularly when his contract was up for renewal, but he signed a new two-year deal with Mercedes last August.

Despite his loyalty to Mercedes, Hamilton has remained close to Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur after winning Formula Three and GP2 (now Formula 2) championships with the Frenchman's ART team as a junior in 2005 and 2006.

Vasseur said last August that he talked to Hamilton at every race weekend.

Red Bull and Max Verstappen have begun to dominate the sport in recent years and the move will bring a fresh start for Hamilton, who will feel he still has more championships to win.

A move to Ferrari would likely be Hamilton's Formula 1 swansong and a calculated risk, with the 2026 rule changes leaving everyone entering new territory.

The possibility of a record eighth title, if not with Mercedes this season, with a third team would also be a sensational step.

The 2024 F1 season gets underway in Bahrain on the 28th February.