Hamilton to join Ferrari from 2025 on 'multi-year contract'

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Ferrari has announced that Lewis Hamilton will join the Scuderia from 2025 on a multi-year contract.

Despite the magnitude of the shockwave generated by the Briton’s sensational transfer to Maranello, the Scuderia issued just a 20-word statement that belied the frenzy surrounding the news.

“Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025, on a multi-year contract.”

It was talked about for several years, even by Hamilton himself, and imagined by pundits, but the seven-time world champion’s shock switch from Mercedes to Ferrari for 2025 is still a move out of left field.

Read also:

Official: Hamilton to leave Mercedes at the end 2024

In the past, for every passionate reason that justified a partnership between Hamilton and Ferrari, there were twice as many solid arguments that supported a status quo between the Briton and Mercedes, a team that he considered as his surrogate family “for life”.

But Mercedes’ dramatic underperformance – by the team’s own standards – following the introduction in 2022 of F1’s radical ground effect regulations likely eroded Hamilton’s motivation, encouraging the 103-time Grand Prix winner to consider a new challenge in a fresh environment to keep him going.

At Ferrari, Hamilton will find himself paired with Charles Leclerc. And the prospect of F1's most decorated champion, a knight forged in silver arrows, and Maranello's favourite son leading the Scuderia’s efforts from 2025 will no doubt send shivers down the spine of even the most jaded Tifosi.

Meanwhile, the news signifies that Carlos Sainz will be a free agent at the end of this season, but the talented Spaniard's services are likely to be in high demand from an array of teams including Red Bull, Mercedes, Aston Martin and Sauber/Audi.

On Thursday evening, Sainz acknowledged his parting of the ways with Ferrari at the end of 2024 with a typically classy and sobre statement.

"Following today's news, Scuderia Ferrari and myself will part ways at the end of 2024," Sainz stated.

"We still have a lo,ng season ahead of us and, like always, i will give my absolute best for the Team and for the Tifosi all around the world.

"News about my future will be announced in due course."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.