"Silly season" is in full swing early in motorsports' top ranks—and change is in the air for Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton.
Ferrari has shaken up Formula 1 by signing Hamilton. The move takes the Brit away from Mercedes after 11 years, the two most recent seasons plagued by car design issues.
The official announcement came Thursday just hours after rumors began swirling about the shakeup.
Hamilton was in the middle of a multi-year contract with Mercedes for 2024 and 2025, but that contract was written where the second season was an option.
Mercedes-AMG Petronas released a statement confirming Hamilton activated his release option in his contract. The 2024 season will be his last with Mercedes.
Ferrari confirmed Hamilton will join its team in 2025 "on a multi-year contract." How long that means, and any further details, have yet to be released.
Hamilton will not replace Charles Leclerc. The move sees Hamilton join him, and replace Carlos Sainz.
Last week Ferrari announced Leclerc had renewed with the team for a new deal reportedly extending his contract through 2029. No mention of Sainz was made despite the 29-year old's contract expiring after the 2024 season.
Hamilton is a seven-time World Champion, which puts him alongside F1 legend Michael Schumacher. Six of those titles were won with Mercedes, while one was with McLaren.
The past two seasons with Mercedes have ranged from underwhelming to dreadful, with aerodynamic issues leading to poor performances.
Sainz posted on X that he would have news about his own future "in due course."
This story has been updated to reflect an official announcement from Mercedes-AMG Petronas and Ferrari confirming the move.
