Mercedes have released a statement confirming bombshell reports that Lewis Hamilton will quit the team at the end of the year to join Ferrari with the team's website crashing as people headed to the site to read the news.
The F1 offseason has been relatively quiet since the 2023 campaign came to an end with all driver seats long secured for the upcoming season.
But that changed on Wednesday morning when shock reports emerged that Hamilton was set to leave Mercedes in a bombshell switch to Ferrari.
The seven-time world champion signed a two-year contract with Mercedes at the end of last season.
Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of the year
GETTY
He suggested it wouldn't be his last in F1, although all indications suggested he would remain with Mercedes.
However, reports claimed that his new deal included a release clause at the end of the 2024 season.
Hamilton is now cashing in on that opportunity to leave Mercedes a year early to realise a childhood dream in driving for Ferrari.
The British sporting icon has long teased a potential move to Ferrari, but suggested years ago that the ship had sailed.
However, Mercedes have now confirmed he will depart the team at the end of the 2024 season.
They confirmed Hamilton's imminent departure on social media, linking back to the team's official website for the full statement.
Their post read: "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 year. Click on the link in our bio for more."
But the website had crashed under the sheer amount of people clicking the link to read their full statement.
Lewis Hamilton has spent his entire F1 career with Mercedes
GETTY
Hamilton has had a career-long partnership with Mercedes as McLaren also used the German engine manufacturer during the Briton's early years in F1.
The British racing superstar doesn't mention a move to Ferrari, but admits that he's looking forward to a "new challenge".
He said: “I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I'm so proud of what we have achieved together.
"Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old.
"It's a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make.
"But the time is right for me to take this step and I'm excited to be taking on a new challenge.
"I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together.
"I am 100 per cent committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember.”
