Mercedes will reportedly hold an internal meeting today following the news Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari in 2025.
The Briton has won six F1 crowns during his time with the Silver Arrows, having won his maiden title when he was racing for McClaren.
It emerged earlier on Thursday that Hamilton will be leaving Mercedes for Ferrari as he targets a historic eighth F1 Drivers' Championship triumph.
The Stevenage-born racer has been stuck on seven ever since he last reigned supreme back in 2020.
Mercedes staff are set for an internal meeting with Lewis Hamilton heading to Ferrari in 2025
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Amid news of Hamilton's imminent departure in 12 months' time, Sky and the Daily Telegraph say Mercedes will today hold an internal meeting.
They will hold talks with staff at 2pm, with Toto Wolff and James Alisson sending messages to employees to summon them.
Hamilton's move to Ferrari is expected to be confirmed today, though other reports have suggested it could come later in the week instead.
The 39-year-old was linked with a move to Ferrari last year, only to end up signing a new contract with Mercedes.
He struggled last term, however, with Max Verstappen dominating the sport. Hamilton, as a result, was unable to win a single race.
But a new adventure lies ahead and it'll be intriguing to see what happens.
Mercedes are likely to promote George Russell, making him their main man after a few years of being in Hamilton's shadow.
Ferrari are hoping the Briton will partner up with Charles Leclerc.
And that means Carlos Sainz Jr's future is uncertain, with the 29-year-old unable to agree a new deal with his current team.
F1 fans on social media have been stunned by news of Hamilton's move, with one user saying: "Nah April Fools is two months early this year."
A second said: "I THOUGHT WE WERE JOKING AROUND."
A third responded to the sensational development by saying: "What on earth is going on in the house of f1."
And a fourth said: "Crikey! there was talk about this in the latter stages of the season but didn’t think this would become true."
Back in December, Ferrari chief Frederic Vasseur admitted he's long been a fan of Hamilton.
And he revealed he'd been trying to recruit the F1 icon for the best part of two decades.
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Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are poised to become team-mates at Ferrari
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"All ten team managers would be thrilled to have him, but I think he has a contract until 2045," he joked.
"But let's not waste energy talking about it, let's focus on ourselves."
He then added: "A possible arrival at Maranello? We have been talking for twenty years.
"If every time we had a chat we had signed a contract, it would have cost me a fortune."
Hamilton, for his part, said in October that he'd had 'casual conversations' with Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton has won six titles during his time with Mercedes
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“Okay, I’m sure we’ve had a few casual conversations," he said.
"I know a lot of good people there. But I never felt ready to move to Italy.”
