Breaking: Hamilton's Deal With Ferrari Supposed To Be Announced Today

F1
Thursday, 01 February 2024 at 13:00
hamilton lewis mercedes steveetherington10
News about Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari negotiations was revealed only earlier today, but apparently, we can expect an announcement about the deal going through already today.
Lewis Hamilton has been with the Mercedes F1 team for 11 seasons. He joined the team before its huge success in 2013 and, over the years, amassed 6 of his 7 Drivers' Championship titles with the team.
It is common for F1 drivers to change between F1 teams based on which one car offers them the best chances of competing for the Championship.
However, the seven-time World Champion has been with Mercedes for so long that it was almost unquestioned by everyone whether he would stay loyal to the German team until the end of his career.
In 2023, the 39-year-old signed a two-year contract extension, and it seemed everything was settled for at least two of the upcoming seasons.
What's more, Sky.com suggests the deal already went through, and we can expect an official announcement later today.

"It is understood the Mercedes factory are to be briefed by chief executive of the team, Toto Wolff, ahead of a formal announcement later today."

Why would Hamilton go to Ferrari?

Mercedes is one of the top teams on the grid. Their record over the past ten seasons is much better than Ferrari's - which hasn't won the Drivers' Championship since 2007.
Did Hamilton lose his confidence in the German team's ability to fight for Championships in the future? His move to Ferrari would suggest Mercedes probably won't be competitive in 2024 and 2025.
Otherwise, there doesn't seem to be any other reason for the seven-time World Champion to end his long-term relationship with Mercedes.