Scuderia Ferrari confirms a multi-year contract with Lewis Hamilton

The announcement is a bombshell. It is undoubtedly the most astonishing and unexpected transfer news of recent years. The most victorious current Formula 1 driver, Lewis Hamilton, will be joining the most successful team in the history of the sport.

If the rumors have been growing stronger throughout the day with gradual confirmations from certain journalists close to certain drivers, it took until 8pm to receive an official statement announcing the end of the contract between Hamilton and Mercedes.

The Scuderia Ferrari has not yet reacted through a statement but has left a brief message: “Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025 on a multi-year contract,” as stated in the short Ferrari statement, which will likely provide further details on Friday.

Charles Leclerc having been renewed for at least two seasons, Ferrari’s lineup in 2025 will therefore be composed of the Monégasque driver and the British driver: Hamilton – Leclerc.

During a press conference this summer, Charles Leclerc explained that Lewis Hamilton was a teammate that many drivers would like to have in the paddock.

« Carlos Sainz is an extremely fast driver. But I am not the one making the choices here. So we will see… Yes, I could welcome him at Ferrari. But if I say that, it will circulate in the media. Lewis has done so much in the sport. Everyone on the grid would want him as their teammate and everyone would learn by his side.

»

Frédéric Vasseur as a mediator

Frédéric Vasseur has been the director of Scuderia Ferrari since 2023. He is also the former manager of Lewis Hamilton, as the Frenchman also manages the ART GP Formula 3 and Formula 2 teams, with whom he has won two single-seater titles.

The arrival of French within the Scuderia Ferrari has therefore undoubtedly helped in the negotiations. Frédéric Vasseur said that he tries to recruit Hamilton every season and gets along very well with the seven-time world champion.

On the other hand, the Mercedes statement explains that although a contract was signed with Mercedes for 2025, a clause could allow the driver to leave. This clause probably related to a victory or a runner-up position in the world championship. An event that did not happen in 2023 and therefore allowed Lewis Hamilton to leave his long-time team.

It is now official, Hamilton will be driving for Scuderia Ferrari starting in 2025 alongside Charles Leclerc.