Lewis Hamilton dropped Ferrari move 'clue' long before shock Mercedes announcement

Lewis Hamilton has previously dropped a clue about moving to Ferrari amid Mercedes exit rumours.

On Thursday morning, the world of Formula 1 was shaken to its core after it was reported that Hamilton is set to join Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season.

It has been claimed that although the Brit signed a multi-year contract with Mercedes in August 2023, there is an exit clause which will allow him to join Ferrari in 2025.

Hamilton has previously been linked with a move to Ferrari before it was confirmed he had signed a new deal with Mercedes.

Speaking back in 2022, the seven-time F1 world champion spoke about the prospect of driving for the famous Italian team.

He told Corriere della Sera: “Of course, it would be nice to race for Ferrari during my career, but things happen because of a reason.”

At the time, he quickly stated that he is loyal to Mercedes, he added: “Mercedes is my family. I will always be a Mercedes driver, just like Stirling Moss.”

If Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is confirmed, he is set to drive alongside Charles Leclerc, who signed a new deal with the team last month.

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Leclerc said: “I’m very pleased to know that I will be wearing the Scuderia Ferrari race suit for several more seasons to come.

“To race for this team has been my dream since I was three years old: I used to watch the Monaco Grand Prix from the window of a friend’s apartment at Ste. Devote corner and I would always look out for the red cars. This team is my second family ever since I joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016 and we have achieved a lot together, fighting through thick and thin over the past five years.”

He continued: “However, I believe the best is yet to come and I can’t wait for this season to start, to make further progress and be competitive at every race. My dream remains that of winning the World Championship with Ferrari and I’m sure that in the years ahead, we will enjoy great times together and make our fans happy.”