Lewis Hamilton will bring to an end his Mercedes career after 11 years at the end of 2024, having signed a deal to join Charles Leclerc at Ferrari in a bid to win that elusive eighth F1 title

Formula 1 stole the show on football’s transfer Deadline Day with news of Lewis Hamilton’s decision to quit Mercedes for Ferrari.

Hamilton will leave the Silver Arrows at the end of the upcoming 2024 season before starting afresh in Italy at the grand young age of 40. He will partner Charles Leclerc, while poor Carlos Sainz finds himself out in the cold.

It’s the biggest F1 driver move since Hamilton joined Mercedes ahead of 2013. Many thought it was a mistake for the Briton to quit McLaren at the time, but the six titles that have come since prove that it was an inspired call.

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The Japanese Grand Prix will continue to be a staple on the Formula 1 calendar for years to come.

A true fans’ favourite track, Suzuka keeps its place up to and including the 2029 season thanks to a new five-year contract. And its annual slot has now been moved earlier in the year to April, meaning F1 cars will be racing against the backdrop of Japan’s beautiful cherry blossom season.

F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said: “Suzuka is a special circuit and part of the fabric of the sport, so I am delighted that F1 will continue to race there until at least 2029. Our fans in Japan embrace Formula 1 with a unique passion and we look forward to working with the promoter to give fans the experience they deserve for years to come.”

The role Hamilton’s father played

A whisper in the ear of a journalist from Anthony Hamilton many years ago began the chain of events which led to today’s earth-shattering announcement.

Lewis Hamilton’s father has been closely involved in the seven-time world champion’s career. And it seems he was pretty adamant from very early on that his boy would one day race in the famous red of Ferrari.

Read more about how that happened HERE.

Jordan predicted Hamilton switch

Eddie Jordan, that is, rather than Katie Price.

The former F1 team owner said last year that he could see the Brit quitting Mercedes for a fresh start with the Scuderia. He said: “In my opinion, there’s only one place he could go, and that is Ferrari.

“He is a guy with the talent that he has, and I think it might be a match made in heaven. I believe Ferrari needs shaking up, and Lewis Hamilton needs shaking up if they are going to continue.

“If Lewis is going to continue, then I think he needs a change. For his mindset, for his drive, for an initiative, for fun. Learning Italian and dealing with and eating pasta with those guys – it’s a different world. Having run a team, we always saw how differently Ferrari operates, and I would love to see Lewis in that environment.

“I think he could truly shake them up, bring a new sense of direction, and eradicate many of the little problems Ferrari has had. Therefore, I would like to see Lewis there for a year or two before he fully retires. It’s an amazing story.”

Hamilton speaks

Lewis Hamilton’s first public words since he decided to walk away from Mercedes have been said.

He said: “I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together. Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old.

“It’s a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. But the time is right for me to take this step and I’m excited to be taking on a new challenge.

“I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto (Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal) for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together. I am 100 per cent committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember.”

For more on this and for Toto Wolff’s quotes on the subject, read more HERE.

The man who lured Lewis away

Lewis Hamilton has made no secret of the fact he loves Ferrari.

But throughout his career that has never been enough to convince him to switch. So what is different this time?

Several factors, of course – but one of the main ones is that Ferrari are these days led by a man, Frederic Vasseur, who played a major role in getting Hamilton to where he is today. And it seems the prospect of teaming up against proved irresistible.

Read more about Hamilton and Vasseur’s relationship HERE.

Sainz to exit Ferrari

Sadly for Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari means there will no longer be room there for him.

The Spaniard has posted his own social media message to tell fans that he will be leaving at the end of the year, and that he will provide an update on his next move “in due course”.