Scuderia Ferrari seal deal to poach seven-time world champion as Mercedes has called staff meeting for this Thursday afternoon.
Lewis Hamilton caused a stir in the Formula 1 offseason paddock today with the news of his impending move to Ferrari for the 2025 season. The seven-time Formula One world champion has reached an agreement with the Scuderia, with an official announcement expected as early as Thursday evening.
Despite previous affirmations of his loyalty to Mercedes and a potential ambassadorial role with the team in the future, reports surfaced from Italy indicating advanced negotiations between Hamilton and Ferrari. Following this revelation, Mercedes’s team principal, Toto Wolff, and technical director, James Allison, called for a staff meeting on Thursday afternoon.
Hamilton’s discussions with Ferrari’s chief executive, John Elkann, have been well-documented, reflecting the Scuderia’s strong desire to secure the British driver. While previous rumors of a Ferrari move did not materialize, the current discussions are considered serious and hold the potential for confirmation in the near future. Notably, there has been long-standing speculation about Hamilton’s aspiration to work under Frédéric Vasseur, Scuderia Ferrari’s Team Principal, given their long time relationship.
As of now, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Hamilton’s representatives have refrained from commenting on these reports.
Having recently extended his contract with Mercedes through 2024 and 2025, Hamilton’s potential move to Ferrari could see him partner with Charles Leclerc at Maranello. Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2013 and achieved six world championships with the team, but recent years have seen them struggle for pace against Red Bull. Despite expressing frustration with their performance, Hamilton has maintained confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back, particularly with their upcoming redesigned car for the new season.
It’s important to note that a move to Ferrari does not guarantee immediate success, as the team has faced challenges under the new regulations, finishing third in the constructors’ championship last year. Notably, they have not secured a drivers’ title since 2007 and a constructors’ championship since 2008.