Lewis Hamilton has shocked the sporting world by lining up a surprise switch from Mercedes to rivals Ferrari.
Mail Sport understands the seven-time world champion has secured a seat to drive for the Italian firm who have been reportedly offering him a £40million incentive to sign up for the 2025 season.
Today’s development confirms Mail Sport’s world exclusive of last May that Ferrari were in talks with Hamilton – even though this was strenuously denied at the time.
Sir Lewis is currently on £50million-a-year at Mercedes, where he has won six of his seven world championships – and previously expressed his desire to remain with them for the rest of his time in the sport.
But Ferrari chiefs have stepped up their efforts to tempt him across, after Hamilton expressed frustration in recent seasons over under-performing by Mercedes.
Lewis Hamilton is set to sign for Ferrari next year in a bombshell move from Mercedes
Hamilton’s dream of racing for the Italian manufacturer appears on the brink of reality
Ferrari have tried persistently to get Hamilton to join them, including an offer last year
Hamilton shares a joke with Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur in Azerbaijan last year
A source in Italy said today of those conversations in late spring: ‘They were pushing like mad.
That story of a potential move was denied by all parties last year, including Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur.
But now the Italian press has stated Hamilton, 39, is wanted to replace Spaniard Carlos Sainz, whose contract negotiations ground to a standstill in December.
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Hamilton is contracted to Mercedes until the end of 2025, a bind that requires some unpicking but not one that is not insuperable because of an ‘escape clause’.
Driving for Ferrari has been an obsession nagging in Hamilton’s head all his career.
There have been flirtations between the two parties for a while, and he has driven red road cars off the forecourt of their Beverly Hills dealership, as well as visited the factory in Maranello.
Mail Sport understands that John Elkann, the company president, has led the initiative to bring in Hamilton for what, if the move materialises, would likely be the last chapter of a glittering career.
Elkann is attracted by Hamilton’s superstar status as the only Formula One driver with truly transcendent fame across the world.
Nothing would cap his successes than winning an eighth title at Ferrari – a milestone that eluded even the great Michael Schumacher, the team’s most decorated champion.
Hamilton won six of his world titles with Mercedes in the space of seven years between 2014 and 20.
However, the team have since fallen off the pace and Hamilton has not won a race since narrowly missing out on a record eighth world championship in 2021.
Hamilton began his Formula One career with McLaren and won his first world title with them in 2008 before switching to Mercedes in 2013.
In terms of race wins, he is the most successful driver in the sport’s history with 103 – 12 ahead of Schumacher, with whom he shares the record for the most world titles.
Hamilton’s Mercedes has been well off the championship pace for the past two seasons
Hamilton is chasing world-record eighth title after starting his career at Mercedes in 2007
Hamilton has found himself trailing Max Verstappen’s Red Bull in the past two seasons
Hamilton has been with Mercedes since 2013 – pictured is executive director Toto Wolff
Hamilton (pictured 2019, after his victory at Silverstone) signed a two-year extension worth £50m-per-year with Mercedes last August
Compelling sources in Italy indicate the Ferrari deal is now already signed.
In Ferrari’s desired scenario, Hamilton would drive alongside Charles Leclerc – the old king and the young prince paired together.
Leclerc penned a new deal last month that would take his salary to £40million a year but Hamilton’s pay would likely outstrip even that.
Mercedes would then turn their attention to rebuilding their once-impregnable operation with George Russell likely assuming the role of No 1 and leader.
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