Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton is reportedly set to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari for the 2025 season, a move that has shocked the motorsport world.
Sky Sports News revealed that Mercedes staff were briefed about the switch, while ESPN stated it’s nearly finalized to replace Carlos Sainz.
Despite NBC News not independently confirming, both Mercedes and Ferrari have refrained from commenting on the speculation.
If the move materializes, Hamilton will finish the 2024 season with Mercedes before partnering with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
The 39-year-old British driver has enjoyed tremendous success with Mercedes since 2013, winning six championships with them and one with McLaren.
Although Hamilton narrowly missed out on an eighth title in 2021 to Max Verstappen, Red Bull's recent dominance contrasts with close battles between Ferrari and Mercedes for second place in constructors' championships.
Previous rumors about Hamilton's potential move to Ferrari were dismissed by him during the Monaco Grand Prix last year.
Despite uncertainties surrounding his championship aspirations with Ferrari, the allure of joining Formula 1’s most prestigious team remains significant.
Ferrari's recent struggles to secure a drivers' championship contrast with their historic status in the sport, despite signing top-tier talents like Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.
This unexpected development comes just ahead of the new season, set to kick off with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 2, adding an extra layer of anticipation and intrigue to the upcoming campaign.