Lewis Hamilton has now ‘clocked out’ at Mercedes with Toto Wolff feeling ‘hurt’

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Lewis Hamilton’s final race as a Mercedes driver is now less than a month away. He’ll bid farewell to the team after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 8 December.

That won’t be the last time he appears in Mercedes colours. Hamilton will carry out commercial duties in December, with his contract running until the end of the year.

From 1 January onwards, he’ll be a Ferrari employee. He won’t be able to drive for the team in the post-season Abu Dhabi test, but he could still run in one of their older cars at Fiorano before pre-season testing.

As it stands, his first public appearance following the move will be at the F175 launch event in London on February 18. It was announced this week that all 10 teams and 20 drivers would reveal their new cars at the O2 arena ceremony.

Ferrari might get ‘special dispensation’ to unveil Hamilton in addition to their 2025 challenger. This is arguably the biggest driver transfer in Formula 1 history, so Liberty Media will want to reap the commercial rewards.

As he closes in on his Mercedes departure, Hamilton’s results are suffering. He’s only finished in the top six three times in the seven races since the summer break.

Lewis Hamilton is now focused on Ferrari as Mercedes exit nears

Writing in his F1 Confidential column, Daily Mail journalist Jonathan McEvoy shared an update on Hamilton. He ‘understands’ that he’s ‘clocked out at Mercedes’.

‘His mind is on Ferrari’ with little to fight for at Brackley. George Russell recently leapfrogged him in the championship but he’s shown little interest in that particular battle.

Mercedes are already guaranteed to finish fourth in the standings, 162 points behind Red Bull and 296 clear of Aston Martin. There seems to be little prospect of the 39-year-old adding to his two race victories in the summer.

Team principal Toto Wolff ‘feels hurt’ by Hamilton’s move. Carlos Sainz Sr tipped Wolff off, suggesting the seven-time world champion kept him in the dark.

The truth about Lewis Hamilton living in Enzo Ferrari’s house

Ferrari will name a street after Hamilton near their Fiorano test track if he wins a world championship in their colours. It’s an honour previously bestowed upon Alberto Ascari and Michael Schumacher.

A title at Maranello would be especially meaningful for two reasons. One, it would be his eighth overall – an unprecedented feat – and two, it would be a Hollywood ending to his career.

Indeed, Hamilton has dreamed of Ferrari since 2004, according to his new team boss Fred Vasseur. He’ll be delighted by their progress this season, with the Prancing Horse still in constructors’ championship contention.

Contrary to initial claims, journalist Nate Saunders says Hamilton won’t be living in Enzo Ferrari’s house. Instead, he’ll be able to use it as a base when he’s working with his engineers.