Lewis Hamilton explains Ferrari move for 2025 F1 season – live

Bearman drove for Haas – powered by Ferrari engines – to make his Formula 1 weekend debut in practice last year in Mexico and Abu Dhabi.

The 18-year-old, who hails from Chelmsford in Essex, joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2021 and, after impressing in the cockpit last year, will share Ferrari reserve duties this year with Robert Shwartzman and Antonio Giovinazzi.

The 2024 F1 season starts on 2 March in Bahrain – and preparations are already well underway ahead of the new campaign.

All 10 teams have quickly turned their attention to 2024, with the 2023 campaign having ended at the end of November in Abu Dhabi.

As we enter a new year, teams will start revealing their 2024 challengers in a series of launch events, before pre-season testing takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit from 21-23 February.

Can the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Aston Martin reel in runaway 2023 champions Red Bull? The launch of their 2024 cars will be our first indication whether their drivers have the tools for the job.

Formula One has rejected Andretti Global’s application to join the global racing series in 2025 or 2026 but said Wednesday it is willing to revisit the issue in 2028 when General Motors has an engine ready for competition.

General Motors under its Cadillac brand had signed on to partner with Michael Andretti’s push to join to the top racing series in the world — a bid that has received extreme pushback from the majority of the existing 10 teams and F1 leadership.

But the process became more complicated when GM said in November it had registered with Formula One’s governing body to become an engine supplier starting in 2028. That backed F1 into a corner because it would be very difficult to turn away one of the largest automakers in the world, particularly an American company at a time the series has gained massive traction in the United States.

The seven-time world champion has decided to leave Mercedes after 11 years and six world titles at the Silver Arrows, with the 39-year-old joining the Scuderia for the 2025 season to partner Charles Leclerc.

It leaves Mercedes looking for a new driver to race alongside George Russell next year, while Carlos Sainz is looking for a new team.

Sky Sports pundit and ex-F1 racer Brundle was among the first to react on Twitter/X on Thursday.

“I’m so looking forward to this,” said Brundle.

The seven-time world champion’s switch from Mercedes was confirmed on Thursday 1 February, after he activated a break clause in his current contract.

He will join Ferrari in 2025.

Back in May 2023, Leclerc was asked what he looks for in a teammate amid speculation Hamilton could be on the move.

“Hello Lewis,” he responded, laughing.

“I mean, Lewis is such an incredible driver, has achieved so much in the sport. So I think anybody on the grid would love to have Lewis as a teammate,” he added.

Monegasque driver Leclerc has been with Ferrari since 2019 and has claimed five victories with the team, though is without a win since July 2022.

However, Ferrari have been keen to tie the 26-year-old down to fresh terms, with his old contract expiring at the end of the new season.

That new extension has now been confirmed and although the length has not been publicised, various Italian media outlets state that it runs until 2029.

So, no race wins for Hamilton in the 2023 season (nor in 2022), with his best results being runners-up finishes in Australia, Spain and Mexico.

The Briton also achieved podium finishes in Canada, Singapore, and at Silverstone.

When Lando Norris extended his McLaren deal last week, he ended speculation that he could join Red Bull this season.

Ironically, today’s news about Hamilton has ignited speculation that Norris could join Mercedes next year! As our Formula 1 correspondent Kieran Jackson, mentioned, it would likely take a lot of money to pry the Briton from McLaren now, but maybe Mercedes would be prepared to fork out…

Here’s what Norris said last week: “Considering we were able to do what we did last year, considering it’s a team that I’ve been with from the beginning, it’s a team that I want to continue my story with in terms of reaching my goal of winning races and winning championships.

“McLaren is the team that I want to do it with. They’re the ones who brought me into Formula 1 and gave me this opportunity. So, in some ways, I feel like I owe it to them and I’m just very much part of the family and very much enjoying where I am.

“I don’t want to join a different team and not enjoy it. I’m excited to be part of that family, especially on the trajectory that we’re on.”