Hamilton to depart Mercedes after 2024 F1 season

Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton will depart the Mercedes Formula 1 team at the end of the 2024 campaign.

It is widely expected that the 39-year-old will now join Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc following his exit from Mercedes.

Hamilton linked up with Mercedes in 2013 from McLaren, a move that surprised many at the time.

However, Hamilton won six F1 titles with the Brackley-based squad who became a dominant force during the opening years of the turbo-hybrid era.

Hamilton penned a two-year extension with Mercedes in 2023 but the second year contained an option that Hamilton has opted out of.

Mercedes has struggled to maintain its front-running form over the last two seasons, with new technical regulations causing it to slip back in the order.

Hamilton last emerged victorious in a race at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021 while Mercedes' rivals Red Bull have dominated at the head of the field.

Mercedes will continue with George Russell beyond the 2024 campaign but has now been forced to search for a second driver to line up for its team.