Lewis Hamilton has shocked the sporting world by lining up a surprise switch from Mercedes to rivals Ferrari.
Mail Sport understands the seven-time world champion has secured a seat to drive for the Italian firm who have been reportedly offering him a £40million incentive to sign up for the 2025 season.
Today’s development confirms media reports of last May that Ferrari were in talks with Hamilton – even though this was strenuously denied at the time.
Sir Lewis is currently on £50million-a-year at Mercedes, where he has won six of his seven world championships – and previously expressed his desire to remain with them for the rest of his time in the sport.
But Ferrari chiefs have stepped up their efforts to tempt him across, after Hamilton expressed frustration in recent seasons over under-performing by Mercedes.
A source in Italy said today of those conversations in late spring: ‘They were pushing like mad.
But now the Italian press has stated Hamilton, 39, is wanted to replace Spaniard Carlos Sainz, whose contract negotiations ground to a standstill in December.
Hamilton is contracted to Mercedes until the end of 2025, a bind that requires some unpicking but not one that is not insuperable because of an ‘escape clause’.
Driving for Ferrari has been an obsession nagging in Hamilton’s head all his career.
