Mercedes confirms that Lewis Hamilton has chosen to exercise an option in his contract. He will leave the stable where he has won six of his seven World Cup titles, the most recent in 2020.
He will join Ferrari only in 2025.
– I have had eleven fantastic years at Mercedes and I am proud of what we have achieved together, says Hamilton and continues:
– Mercedes has been a part of my life since I was 13 years old. It’s a place where I grew up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. But it’s time for me to take this step and I’m excited to take on a new challenge.
Sainz leaves Ferrari
Ferrari writes in a statement that it agrees with Hamilton on a “multi-year contract”. At the same time, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz confirms that he is leaving the team.
“Following today’s news, Ferrari and I will be parting ways at the end of 2024. We still have a long season ahead of us and as always I will give my absolute best for the team. News about my future will come in due course,” writes Sainz on his social channels.