Rumors are circulating about Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari in 2025, analysis

The rumors have exploded in the past few hours and that’s all anyone is talking about: Lewis Hamilton would be very close to reaching an agreement to join Scuderia Ferrari in 2025, replacing Carlos Sainz, whose contract ends at the end of this season. The announcement is even expected in the coming days.

Ferrari has long shown interest in Lewis Hamilton’s services, but their approaches were previously rejected as the seven-time Formula 1 world champion believed Mercedes offered him a better path to success.

Lewis Hamilton, during his signing last year, however explained that he would like to do like Stirling Moss and finish his career with Mercedes: (e) If you take one of the legends of this sport, Sir Stirling Moss stayed with Mercedes until the end of his career. I don’t see myself doing any differently. I want to stay here and help the team progress.

But now, with the arrival of Frédéric Vasseur at the helm of the Scuderia, things may have changed. The French team principal of Scuderia Ferrari has indeed managed Lewis Hamilton during his championship wins in Formula 3 and GP2 in 2005 and 2006. Vasseur has always stated that he is in talks with Hamilton. « I speak with Lewis every week, but if I were to hire him every time I see him… » the team principal of the Scuderia recently expressed regarding the British driver.

Last year, the seven-time world champion had signed a multi-year contract with Mercedes for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, but it appears that the second season was ultimately just an option. This means that Lewis Hamilton could have an exit clause, which would allow him, if he signs with Ferrari, to join the team starting from 2025.

Furthermore, the contract extension of Charles Leclerc, but the lack of communication regarding the future of Carlos Sainz, would play a role in confirming this rumor.

The future of Carlos Sainz at Audi?

On the other hand, Carlos Sainz would then be replaced by Lewis Hamilton in 2025 and would have several options to relaunch his career. AS, which obviously follows the Spanish driver’s career, sees three possible options for Carlos Sainz in 2025: Mercedes, in an exchange with Hamilton, Aston Martin, or naturally Audi.

This last option would be the most considered by the Spanish clan, with Carlos Sainz Sr. notably pushing for his son to join the new project of the brand with the rings. According to the information, a decision will be made in the coming weeks regarding the future of the Madrid-born driver. Sainz is indeed very close to Audi, driving for the brand in Dakar, they had notably come as a family to see Carlos Sainz win the rally-raid a few weeks ago.

However, since Audi will officially join F1 only in 2026, it would therefore require two years of transition for Sainz, whose contract with Ferrari is currently set to end in 2024. A transition through Stake (Sauber) doesn’t seem to be considered.

A diversion after the Andretti flop?

If Mercedes loses Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff will want to secure the services of another renowned driver. Mercedes could therefore be looking to poach Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc or Max Verstappen. However, none of these drivers will be available until 2026. Therefore, there is no chance that Toto Wolff hopes to compensate for Hamilton’s departure with Sainz, and these rumors seem to us only a diversionary subject after Liberty Media’s announcement of Andretti’s exclusion.