Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari from the 2025 season and the move has left Formula One fans in shock.
The Brit is set to leave Mercedes at the end of this year after more than a decade with the Brackley-based team.
Hamilton, who will turn 40 next January, has won six of his seven world championships since joining Mercedes from McLaren in 2013.
He was on the brink of breaking the record he shares with Michael Schumacher in winning an eighth world title in 2021 before he was beaten on the last lap of the final race of the season by Max Verstappen.
Lewis Hamilton is set to join Ferrari from Mercedes in 2025
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Verstappen's maiden title came in hugely controversial fashion and the Dutchman has left Hamilton in his wake in the last two seasons.
Hamilton has failed to win a race in any of those campaigns to fuel speculation he could see a move elsewhere in search of an eighth title.
He played down talk of a move to Ferrari last year and signed a new multi-year deal with Mercedes until the end of 2025.
But he looks set to cut that deal short and join Ferrari following the 2024 season.
And F1 fans on social media have been left stunned by the development.
Many did not believe the news, with one writing: "Nah April Fools is two months early this year."
While another posted: "I THOUGHT WE WERE JOKING AROUND."
There was a similar sense of surprise, with another X user writing: "What on earth is going on in the house of f1."
While one more fan posted: "Crikey! there was talk about this in the latter stages of the season but didn’t think this would become true."
Ferrari could have many new supporters next year, with one user writing: "Ferrari from 2025 you have a new fan."
With the football transfer deadline day being unusually quiet, some fans claimed Hamilton's move would be the biggest.
One wrote: "How is the f1 transfer market being more entertaining than football one."
While another put: "I know it’s deadline day today but this is taking the p**s."
One simply put: "Best deadline day news."
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Lewis Hamilton has been at Mercedes since 2013 but is now set to join Ferrari
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Some fans believe the move will suit Hamilton and claim he will be fulfilling a driver's 'dream' to join Ferrari.
One fan wrote: "Makes sense for him. He either wins the 2024 title with Merc and fulfills every driver’s dream to drive for Ferrari, or Merc fails again to deliver a championship winning car and he takes his chances with Maranello."
While one supporter reckons it is good timing for the 39-year-old.
They wrote: "At this point in his career, I’m not surprised. Mercedes can’t give him the car he needs, & all F1 drivers want to drive for Ferrari b4 they retire.
Lewis Hamilton could become team-mates with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari
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"Their car seems more competitive than what Mercedes can produce.
"Lewis is good at playing the long game. I think it will be a good move."
He would likely become team-mates with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, a prospect which has excited one supporter.
They wrote: "Can't help but feel that the partnership with Mercedes has run its course. Really excited about what 2025 will bring and how he'll fare against Charles."
