Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton confirmed on September 2, 2026, that he will leave Mercedes at the end of the current season to join Scuderia Ferrari on a two-year contract worth a reported 65 million dollars per season. ## Historic Driver Move Reshapes F1 Landscape The move, which has been rumored since early 2026, makes Hamilton the first driver to race for Ferrari after winning multiple world championships with another constructor. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur stated that Hamilton will partner with current driver Charles Leclerc for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. "This is a dream I have carried since I was a child watching Michael Schumacher race for the most iconic team in motorsport," Hamilton said at the press conference in Maranello. "Ending my career at Ferrari, competing for world championships in red, completes the journey I started 20 years ago." Hamilton, now 41 years old, said that winning a championship with Ferrari represents the final goal of his career. He joins a team that has won 16 constructors championships and whose last drivers championship came in 2007 with Kimi Raikkonen. The reported contract value of 65 million dollars per season makes Hamilton the highest-paid driver in F1 history, surpassing Max Verstappen estimated 55 million dollars annual salary at Red Bull Racing. ## Mercedes and Team Dynamics Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed disappointment but respect for Hamilton decision. "Lewis has given this team everything for 12 years, and we are grateful for every moment," Wolff said. "He is chasing a legacy that only Ferrari can offer, and I understand that completely." Hamilton departure creates a significant opening at Mercedes, with the team expected to promote junior driver Kimi Antonelli to race alongside George Russell. Antonelli, 19, has dominated the Formula 2 championship in 2026 with 11 wins in 16 races, making him the most sought-after young talent in the sport. Ferrari driver lineup of Hamilton and Leclerc creates one of the strongest pairings in F1 history. Leclerc, 29, has won 18 Grand Prix races and finished runner-up in the championship twice. "Lewis is a champion I have admired since I was a child," Leclerc said. "Competing alongside him will make me a better driver." ## Fan and Industry Reaction The announcement triggered a massive response on social media, with Hamilton Instagram post confirming the move receiving 28 million likes within 24 hours, the most-liked sports post in the platform history. Ferrari merchandise website experienced a 340 percent traffic increase on the day of the announcement. Ferrari president John Elkann stated that Hamilton signing represents "the most significant driver acquisition in Ferrari 78-year history." The team has invested 450 million euros in its aerodynamics and power unit programs for the 2027 season, targeting the new regulations that will significantly alter car design. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, a former Ferrari team principal, called the move "transformational for the sport." "Having Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari is a combination that fans have dreamed about for years," Domenicali said. "The 2027 season will be one of the most anticipated in Formula 1 history." The 2027 regulations, which reduce aerodynamic complexity and increase sustainable fuel requirements, are expected to create opportunities for competitive reshuffling. Mercedes technical director James Allison confirmed that the team 2027 car design is already in advanced simulation testing, with early data suggesting a "significant step forward" in performance.