Lewis Hamilton is set to move to Ferrari, less than a year after denying £40m talks, with 'break clause' in Mercedes contract allowing him to abandon £100m deal

Lewis Hamilton appears to be on the verge of realizing one of the biggest dreams of his life: by driving for Ferrari.

Informed reports in Italy have convincingly linked the seven-time world champion with a seat at the Scuderia as early as the 2025 season.

Confirming to the world of Mail Sport exclusively last May, Ferrari was in talks with Hamilton and prepared to offer him a king's ransom of £40 million to join.

He currently has earned £50 million at Mercedes, where he has won six of his seven world championships and has previously expressed a desire to stay in the sport for the rest of his time.

“They were pushing like crazy,” a source in Italy said today about those late spring talks.

Hamilton's dream of racing for the Italian manufacturer seems on the verge of reality

Ferrari have continuously tried to persuade Hamilton to join them, including an offer last year

Hamilton shared a joke with Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur last year in Azerbaijan

That story was openly denied by all parties, including Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur.

But now the Italian press has stated that 38-year-old Hamilton wants to replace Spaniard Carlos Sainz, whose contract negotiations came to a standstill in December. We now know why.

Opinion poll

Should Lewis Hamilton go to Ferrari?

• Yes 191 votes
• No 110 votes

Hamilton is under contract with Mercedes until the end of 2025, a commitment that requires some resolution, but is not insurmountable due to an 'escape clause'.

There is no doubt whatsoever that driving for Ferrari has been an obsession in Hamilton's mind throughout his career.

There has been flirting between the two parties for some time, and he has driven red cars off the forecourt of their Beverly Hills dealership and visited the Maranello factory.

Mail Sport understands that John Elkann, the company's chief executive, has led the initiative to bring Hamilton in for what, if the move materializes, would likely be the final chapter of a glittering career.

Elkann is drawn to Hamilton's superstar status as the only Formula 1 driver with truly transcendent fame around the world.

Nothing could limit his successes than winning an eighth title at Ferrari – a milestone that eluded even the great Michael Schumacher, the team's most decorated champion.

Hamilton's Mercedes has been far behind in the championship for the past two seasons

Hamilton has had two tough seasons since his neck-and-neck title race with Red Bull's Max Verstappen in 2021

Hamilton has followed Max Verstappen's Red Bull for the past two seasons

Hamilton has worked at Mercedes since 2013 – pictured is executive director Toto Wolff

Hamilton signed a two-year extension worth £50 million per year with Mercedes last August

Some sources in Italy indicate that the deal has already been signed, although this cannot be independently confirmed at this time.

Switching from Mercedes makes sense. They are in turmoil, a fact borne out by the fact that Hamilton has not added to his 103 wins in the past two seasons.

In Ferrari's desired scenario, Hamilton would drive next to Charles Leclerc, the old king and the old prince together.

Leclerc signed a new contract last month that would take his salary to £40 million a year. Hamilton's pay would likely exceed even that.

Mercedes would turn their attention to rebuilding their once impregnable operation, with George Russell likely to take on the role of No. 1 and leader.