A key Mercedes staff member is reportedly in talks to follow Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari from the beginning of the 2025 season.
Hamilton shocked the F1 world by signing a multi-year contract with the Scuderia in January, in a move which will see him team up with Charles Leclerc at the Italian team from 2025.
He agreed a new two-year contract with Mercedes last year, but it was revealed that the second year was only an optional extension that the seven-time world champion could choose not to exercise.
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Mercedes are thus far yet to announce Hamilton's replacement, with Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz among those linked with taking the soon-to-be vacant role.
PlanetF1 reported that Hamilton's Ferrari contract contains a 'no-poaching clause', which means the Englishman cannot directly approach members of his own team to join him at the Scuderia.
While the Silver Arrows have not confirmed this publicly, a source told PlanetF1 that the existence of the clause was 'accurate'.
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However, such a clause doesn't entirely stop a Mercedes team member moving across to Maranello - and it is claimed that one significant figure is close to completing a move in that direction.
According to Motorsport.nextgen-auto.com, sources claim that Mercedes driver development director Jerome d'Ambrosio has been in talks with the Scuderia over potentially joining the team in 2025.
It is also claimed that 'terms have been agreed' on a deal that would see d'Ambrosio join the team after completing a period of gardening leave.
D'Ambrosio is a former F1 driver, having raced for the Marussia Virgin Racing team in the 2011 season. He also deputised for Romain Grosjean at the 2012 Italian Grand Prix after the Frenchman received a one-race ban.
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After retiring, the Belgian became team principal of Formula E team Venturi Racing before taking up his post at Mercedes.
Last season, D'Ambrosio filled the duties of regular team principal Toto Wolff at two Grands Prix after the Austrian was forced to undergo knee surgery.
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Ferrari