So Hamilton could escape from his contract with Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton is leaving Mercedes at the end of 2024. The seven-time world champion seemed to have a contract through to 2025 at Mercedes, but has lifted a clause allowing him to leave. What's the deal?

"The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team and Lewis Hamilton will part ways at the end of the 2024 season. Lewis has activated a release option in the contract announced last August and this season will therefore be his last driving for the Silver Arrows," reads Mercedes' statement. So, while a contract through 2025 was in place, Hamilton could get out at any time.

So Hamilton could escape from Mercedes

It is common for drivers and teams to include certain (performance) clauses in their contracts. That way, a driver or a team can get out of the contract if the other party's performance is disappointing. In this case, Hamilton has lifted a clause allowing him to switch to Ferrari.

Why Hamilton insists on making the switch and sees his future at Ferrari is unclear. Ferrari's press release lacks a statement from Hamilton or Frederic Vasseur and only mentions Hamilton's multi-year deal. In Mercedes' press release, Hamilton does not mention Ferrari at all, and it is only a farewell to Mercedes.