F1 bombshell as Hamilton close to leaving eight-time champs ...

Lewis Hamilton is on the brink of leaving Mercedes, the team where he has won six of his seven drivers’ world titles, for Ferrari in an F1 contract bombshell.

Motorsport reports Hamilton is in advanced negotiations to join the Italian outfit for the 2025 season with a decision expected “imminently”. Sky News reported the Mercedes factory was to be briefed this morning (UK time) before a formal announcement today.

Since Hamilton left McLaren for Mercedes they have won eight constructors’ titles, but the team has battled over the last two seasons, with Hamilton failing to win a race since Saudi Arabia 2021.

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“Ferrari has long been interested in Hamilton’s services but its overtures have previously been rejected because the seven-time champion felt Mercedes offered him a better route to success,” the report states.

“However it now appears that, off the back of two challenging seasons for Mercedes, Ferrari is now close to convincing Hamilton that it is a better bet for the future.”

Hamilton was said to have signed a multi-year contract heading into 2024 but the 2025 season may have been an “option”, meaning he could decline it and leave early.

He would be expected to partner with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, with the Montegasque signing a fresh extension last week.

Carlos Sainz is contracted for just one more season and could seek a move to Mercedes for 2025, though he has been linked to Audi (currently Alfa Romeo/Stake).

Hamilton went through lengthy negotiations during the 2023 season to remain at Mercedes for 2024, publicly maintaining his faith in the team to turn their form around in future seasons.

“I do have faith that we will get there, we have been here before as a team, and while we have more and more new people, we still have a great values, I see great focus within everyone,” Hamilton said at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“I think for this year (2023) they thought the fundamentals were good and we just have to go here and it’s not the case. That’s why I was frustrated in February, because they hadn’t made the changes I’d asked (for). 

“But with the changes we are making, I hope I was, I hope we are right and, yeah, but I guess we have no idea what the Red Bulls are going to do.”

Team boss Toto Wolff and technical director James Allison have long-term contracts with the team but should Hamilton put pen to paper on the Ferrari deal, they will need to find a new driver to partner George Russell.

There should be no shortage of suitors though fellow Briton Lando Norris, who has signed an extension beyond 2025 at McLaren, is tied up.