Lewis Hamilton Leaving Mercedes F1 After 11 Years To Join Ferrari

Prolific race automotive driver Lewis Hamilton will probably be leaving the Mercedes F1 crew to hitch Ferrari. 

Based on a number of shops, Hamilton, who’s probably the most profitable driver in System One historical past, will shut out his long-running relationship with Mercedes on the finish of the 2024 season, the Mercedes F1 crew confirmed in a press release on Thursday. He joined Mercedes in 2013 after leaving McLaren. That settlement Hamilton signed was an approximate $60 million contract with Mercedes. 

It’s unknown how a lot Ferrari provided Hamilton, although the seven-time champion inked a year-long contract that may doubtless rival the hefty sum Mercedes was providing. The Daily Mail reported that the Ferrari contract could also be round $40 million, although that has but to be confirmed. 

“Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team and Lewis Hamilton will part ways at the end of the 2024 season. Lewis has activated a release option in the contract announced last year,” Mercedes shared in a press release on social media. 

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Staff and Lewis Hamilton will half methods on the finish of the 2024 season. Lewis has activated a launch possibility within the contract introduced final yr.

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Staff (@MercedesAMGF1) February 1, 2024

Hamilton will be part of racer Charles Leclerc, who additionally landed a brand new long-term contract final week, beginning with the 2025 season. Nevertheless, Ferrari racer Carlos Sainz could also be left with no automotive, although he may very well be eyeing Mercedes, who now has some free house.

Following a difficult season with Mercedes final yr, throughout which he didn’t safe a Grand Prix victory and ended up in third place within the Drivers’ Championship, Hamilton seems to be on the lookout for a change.