- Hamilton’s Mercedes has struggled to maintain tempo with Crimson Bull lately
- An ‘escape clause’ inserted into British racer’s contract permits a 2025 exit
- Hamilton, 39, turned down a £40million provide to affix Ferrari only a yr in the past
Lewis Hamilton is on the point of fulfilling one of many biggest desires of his life – by driving for Ferrari.
Mail Sport understands the seven-time world champion has secured a seat on the Scuderia, even for as early because the 2025 season.
This confirms Mail Sport’s world exclusive of final Might that Ferrari have been in talks with Hamilton and ready to supply him a £40million king’s ransom to affix.
He’s presently on £50m-a-year at Mercedes, the place he has gained six of his seven world championships and beforehand expressed his need to stay for the remainder of his time within the sport.
‘They have been pushing like mad,’ a supply in Italy stated at the moment of these conversations in late spring.
Lewis Hamilton is ready to signal for Ferrari subsequent yr in a bombshell transfer from Mercedes
Hamilton’s dream of racing for the Italian producer seems on the point of actuality
Ferrari have tried persistently to get Hamilton to affix them, together with a proposal final yr
Hamilton shares a joke with Ferrari workforce principal Fred Vasseur in Azerbaijan final yr
That story was bare-face denied by all events, together with Ferrari workforce principal Fred Vasseur.
However now the Italian press has acknowledged that Hamilton, 39, is needed to switch Spaniard Carlos Sainz, whose contract negotiations floor to a standstill in December. We now know why.
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Hamilton is contracted to Mercedes till the top of 2025, a bind that requires some unpicking however not one that’s not insuperable due to an ‘escape clause’.
There is no such thing as a query in any respect that driving for Ferrari has been an obsession nagging in Hamilton’s head all his profession.
There have been flirtations between the 2 events for some time, and he has pushed purple street automobiles off the forecourt of their Beverly Hills dealership, in addition to visited the manufacturing facility in Maranello.
Mail Sport understands that John Elkann, the corporate president, has led the initiative to herald Hamilton for what, if the transfer materialises, would possible be the final chapter of a glittering profession.
Elkann is attracted by Hamilton’s celebrity standing as the one Method One driver with really transcendent fame internationally.
Nothing would cap his successes than profitable an eight title at Ferrari – a milestone that eluded even the nice Michael Schumacher, the workforce’s most adorned champion.
Hamilton’s Mercedes has been nicely off the championship tempo for the previous two seasons
Hamilton has endured two powerful seasons since his neck-and-neck title race with Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen in 2021
Hamilton has discovered himself trailing Max Verstappen’s Crimson Bull prior to now two seasons
Hamilton has been with Mercedes since 2013 – pictured is govt director Toto Wolff
Hamilton signed a two-year extension value £50m-per-year with Mercedes final August
Compelling sources in Italy point out the deal is already signed, and that seems to be so.
Shifting from Mercedes is sensible. They’re in turmoil, a truth borne out by Hamilton having not added to his 103 race wins for the previous two seasons.
In Ferrari’s desired state of affairs, Hamilton would drive alongside Charles Leclerc, the previous king and the previous prince paired collectively.
Leclerc penned a brand new deal final month that may take his wage to £40million a yr. Hamilton’s pay would possible outstrip even that.
Mercedes would flip their consideration to rebuilding their once-impregnable operation with George Russell possible assuming the position of No 1 and chief.
