Hamilton Embarks on a New Challenge with Ferrari in F1

Several reports suggest that a deal has been reached for seven-time world champion Hamilton to join 

Charles Leclerc at Maranello .starting from 2025

Both Ferrari and Mercedes have chosen not to comment on the matter.

During a meeting with team principal Toto Wolff and technical director James Allison on Thursday afternoon, Mercedes F1 staff were informed about the potential move.

The announcement of the transfer could be made official as soon as Thursday evening.

Hamilton, who is 39 years old, renewed his contract with Mercedes for two more years just last summer, but now it appears he is poised to depart after only one season.

Initial reports of Hamilton possibly joining Ferrari in 2025 surfaced in the Italian and Spanish media on Thursday. has since corroborated this information through multiple sources.

While rumors of Hamilton joining Ferrari have circulated sporadically for years, this time, according to several sources, the speculation holds weight.

The negotiation process for the Hamilton deal unfolded rapidly. Ferrari had been discussing a contract extension with Carlos Sainz, whose current deal expires at the end of this season. However, Ferrari president John Elkann became aware of the possibility of Hamilton's availability and moved swiftly to secure his commitment. Hamilton and Elkann are friends who have socialized on several occasions in recent years.

Hamilton claimed his seventh world title in 2020 and finalized his latest two-year deal with Mercedes in August, which would extend his tenure with the team to 13 years.

In 2019, Ferrari openly acknowledged talks with Hamilton, the reigning world champion at the time, regarding a potential future collaboration.

Red Bull has been the dominant force in the sport over the past two seasons, particularly since the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Hamilton lost out to Max Verstappen following contentious decisions made by former FIA race director Michael Masi during a late-race safety car period.

Since then, Hamilton has been motivated by the desire to rectify what he perceives as an injustice and secure his eighth championship title.

At the conclusion of last season, Hamilton expressed uncertainty about Mercedes' ability to rebound from two challenging seasons and compete with Red Bull.

During an interview with BBC Sport and other media outlets at the final race in Abu Dhabi, he stated, "I do believe we have a North Star now, which I don't think we've had for two years. But still getting there is not a straight line. I think we understand the car so much better. They have developed great tools in the background. So naturally, I'm hopeful, but I'm not going to hold my breath."

Ferrari has also faced difficulties in recent seasons, and both teams vied for second place in the constructors' championship last year, with Mercedes narrowly clinching victory despite Ferrari boasting the faster car by season's end.

Hamilton's decision to move will reverberate throughout F1, akin to the shockwaves when he opted to depart McLaren for Mercedes ahead of the 2013 season. Despite initial skepticism, his choice proved remarkably astute, leading to F1 domination from the 2014 season onward and cementing his status as the most successful driver in F1 history.

The allure of Ferrari, F1's most storied and iconic team, holds strong appeal for many drivers. Until now, Hamilton appeared immune to its charms, often expressing his desire to remain with Mercedes indefinitely and collaborating on various projects, particularly focusing on diversity and racial equality.

However, the opportunity to cap off his career driving for Ferrari may be too enticing to resist, reminiscent of Hamilton's childhood idol Ayrton Senna's intentions before his tragic death at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix while driving for Williams.

Hamilton's move will reshape the F1 driver market. Mercedes will seek a replacement for him at season's end, while Ferrari's Sainz will be in search of a new opportunity. With the exception of Fernando Alonso, whose contract with Aston Martin expires this season, none of the established top drivers will be available to partner with George Russell at Mercedes.

Max Verstappen is contracted with Red Bull until 2027, Leclerc is committed to Ferrari, and Lando Norris recently inked a new deal with McLaren.

Analyzing Hamilton's Decision to Join Ferrari

Hamilton's shift to Ferrari marks one of the most significant and unexpected narratives in F1 in recent years.

Throughout his career, Hamilton consistently expressed his intention to remain with Mercedes indefinitely, drawing parallels to the lifelong association of the late Stirling Moss with Mercedes as an ambassador.

However, circumstances have evolved, leading Hamilton to conclude that he cannot resist the allure of Ferrari, whose rich history, legendary status, and mystique exert a powerful pull on any F1 driver.

As F1's preeminent star and most successful driver, Hamilton's departure deals a substantial blow to Mercedes, with whom he recently extended his contract for another two years.

His decision reflects both a resounding vote of confidence in Ferrari's team principal, Frederic Vasseur—whom Hamilton has maintained a close relationship with since their time together in junior categories—and a notable departure from Mercedes.

Both teams have faced challenges contending with Red Bull since the introduction of new regulations over the past two years. However, Hamilton evidently sees promise in Ferrari's trajectory during the latter part of the previous season.

Understanding the rationale behind this move, as well as its repercussions, necessitates considering the broader context.

Hamilton was deeply affected by the events of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he believes a mishandling of rules by race director Masi deprived him of an eighth world title during a late-race safety car period.

Since then, Hamilton has been fueled by a desire to rectify what he perceives as an injustice, although he may not have articulated it explicitly in public statements.

Reflecting on his decision to join Mercedes in 2012, Hamilton's foresight proved remarkable as he defied skeptics and embarked on the most successful partnership between an F1 team and driver in history.

Time will tell whether Hamilton's latest decision is another stroke of genius or one he may come to regret.