Lewis Hamilton is on the brink of a blockbuster move to Ferrari in 2025, the PA news agency understands.
Hamilton, 39, is entering the first of a new two-year deal with Mercedes worth £100million.
But it is understood the seven-time Formula One world champion is eligible to leave Mercedes at the end of the year.
PA has been told that confirmation of Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari could be announced as early as February 1.
Both Mercedes and Ferrari declined to comment when contacted by PA.
The move would end an extraordinarily successful partnership. Hamilton won six of his world titles with Mercedes in the space of seven years from 2014-20.
However, the team have since fallen off the pace and Hamilton has not won a race since narrowly missing out on a record eighth world championship in 2021.
There would be a vacancy at Ferrari if Carlos Sainz’s contract, which is due to expire at the end of the current year, is not renewed. The Italian outfit’s other driver, Charles Leclerc, recently agreed a new long-term deal.
It is not the first time Hamilton has been linked with Ferrari, with rumours of a potential move prior to him signing his most recent Mercedes contract last year.
Hamilton began his Formula One career with McLaren and won his first world title with them in 2008 before switching to Mercedes in 2013.
In terms of race wins, he is the most successful driver in the sport’s history with 103, 12 ahead of Michael Schumacher, with whom he shares the record for the most world titles.