Lewis Hamilton is expected to make a shock move from Mercedes to Formula One rivals Ferrari for the 2025 season.

This afternoon, team principal Toto Wolff and technical director James Allison informed staff of Hamilton’s decision to leave in a briefing at their Brackley base.

Talks between the seven-time world champion have been held with the Italian team with a view of signing a deal ahead of next year. Hamilton has just signed a new two-year deal with Mercedes but there are claims the second year was optional. Ferrari want the British driver to join Charles Leclerc with Carlos Sainz only contracted until the end of this upcoming season.

The 39-year-old has not won a race for two seasons since being denied a record eighth title in 2021 in controversial circumstances by Max Verstappen in the final race of the season. He finished third in last year’s drivers’ championship after achieving six podium finishes.

Sky F1’s Martin Brundle said: “He’s had a couple of years of not winning a race and we’ve seen a couple of other changes he’s made…and he’s probably gone ‘I’m going to stop focus on all of the things outside of racing and get back to Lewis Hamilton the racing driver’.

“I think this is a wonderful opportunity to motivate him and energise him for this phase of his career.”

When contacted by Telegraph Sport, Mercedes declined to comment. Representatives for Hamilton are yet to respond to a request for comment.

More to follow…