Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of 2024 to join Ferrari

By JEROME PUGMIRE AP Auto Racing Writer Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has shocked the motorsports world by announcing he will leave Mercedes at the end of the season to join Ferrari. The Italian team had tried to land Hamilton before he signed his latest contract extension with the Silver Arrows. Hamilton only finalized a two-year extension with Mercedes at the end of August. Mercedes says the 39-year-old British driver has activated a release clause in that new deal that will allow him to join Ferrari in 2025. Hamilton won six of his seven titles with Mercedes. But his last win was in the penultimate race of the 2021 season as Mercedes has struggled to get its new car up to speed against rival Red Bull. Lewis Hamilton shocked the motorsports world Thursday when the seven-time Formula One champion said he will leave Mercedes at the end of the season to join Ferrari, which had tried to land Hamilton before he signed his latest contract extension with the Silver Arrows. Hamilton only finalized a two-year extension with Mercedes at the end of August. Mercedes said Thursday the 39-year-old British driver has activated a release clause in that new deal...