Formula One star Lewis Hamilton will reportedly leave Mercedes and join Ferrari for the 2025 season.
Hamilton hasn't exactly had the easiest ride for the past two seasons as Mercedes has struggled with new Formula 1 regulations.
This comes after the British F1 driver failed to win his race in a single season for the first time in his entire career in 2022.
Advert
The following year, Max Verstappen beat him to it to claim his third F1 world title in a row.
Although the 39-year-old penned a new deal with Mercedes back in August 2023, his future is now understood to be unclear.
Sky Sports News has reported that the Mercedes factory is set to be briefed by chief executive of the team, Toto Wolff, ahead of a potential announcement later today (1 February) about a change of team.
A report by Motorsport.com also stated that negotiations are said to be at an advanced stage.
Advert
Hamilton signed a new Mercedes deal for 2024 and 2025 but it has been claimed that there is an escape clause in his contract.
Speaking after signing his new deal, Hamilton said: “We dream every day of being the best and we have dedicated the past decade together to achieving that goal.
“Being at the top does not happen overnight or over a short period of time, it takes commitment, hard work and dedication and it’s been an honour to earn our way into the history books with this incredible team.”
He added: “We have never been hungrier to win. We have learnt from every success but also every setback. We continue to chase our dreams, we continue to fight no matter the challenge and we will win again.
Advert
“I’m grateful to the team who have supported me both on and off the track. Our story isn’t finished, we are determined to achieve more together and we won’t stop until we do.”
The 2024 F1 season will begin with the Bahrain Grand Prix in March.
On his future, Hamilton previously said: "I can't race forever, and it's good to have other things that you can be creative and tap into.
"You can't be thinking about racing 24/7, because you'll go out of your mind."
In an interview with CNBC in November, he revealed what he does with most of his time outside the cockpit.
Advert
"A large part of it is sponsor work," Hamilton said.
"Photo shoots and the contractual stuff we need to be able to service the sponsors.
"When I started out racing in Formula 1, I had far too many commitments outside and I was always tired on race weekends."
LADbible has contacted Mercedes, Ferrari and representatives for Hamilton for comment.
Topics: Celebrity, Formula 1, Sport, Lewis Hamilton
Anish Vij