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Motorsport

Lewis Hamilton set to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari in 2025 - three possible replacements

Lewis Hamilton set to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari in 2025 - three possible replacementsDAZN
He has struggled against Max Verstappen in the last few years.

Lewis Hamilton is set join Ferrari for the 2025 season.

Hamilton holds the world record - shared with a former Ferrari driver, Michael Schumacher - for Formula One championships, having won seven over the course of the year.

The 39-year-old Briton had been expected to stay on at Mercedes having signed a two-year deal, but there were suggestions that there was a break clause after the first season.

That leaves Hamilton free to move to Ferrari, who have endured a decade of underperformance and are in need of renewal.

It is anticipated that Ferrari will retain their Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc after he signed a new deal with the Italians, meaning that their Spanish driver Carlos Sainz is set to depart at the end of the season.

Hamilton has been linked with Ferrari for many years and now it seems that he has decided for a fresh start after two years without a world championship.

The last three campaigns have seen Max Verstappen take victory in the F1 championship and the last two seasons have been tough as Mercedes' car has been well off the pace.

The same could be said for Ferrari, who will need to improve their own car if they wish to usurp Red Bull. 

We look at three potential drivers who could step in

Carlos Sainz

The inconsistent Spaniard has often frustrated as much as he has impressed in his time with Ferrari, and now it seems he will need to find a new ride for 2025. A logical swap could be made to Mercedes, with George Russell looking like the better driver in the German team's current car.

Mick Schumacher

Schumacher is the current reserve driver for Mercedes so he would have the ability to slot in with awareness of how the team operates and how the car drives. Again, with Russell probably leading for Mercedes in 2025, they will not need to find a new senior partner for the Brit.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli

The 17-year-old Italian this season makes the jump from F4 to F2, such is the rate of progress he is making. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has picked him out as an exceptional talent, so this could make him in line for one more huge jump.

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