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.

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.