CHARLES LECLERC is set to be joined by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari in 2025.
News emerged this morning that the seven-time world champion is will replace Carlos Sainz with the Prancing Horse in 2025.
Hamilton, who turned 39 this month, penned a two-year £100million extension with Mercedes last summer.
But a break clause will see him able to leave for Ferrari next year.
Last summer rumours of Hamilton’s potential switch began to swirl around the paddock.
Sat next to Hamilton, Pierre Gasly and Valtteri Bottas, a sheepish-looking Leclerc was asked about what he looks for in a team-mate last June.
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He awkwardly laughed as he said “Hi Lewis”, with the Brit also cackling.
Leclerc then said: “We are in Formula 1 and we love to be fighting against the best. But that is not to say my team-mate is not fast. Carlos is an extremely fast driver.
“But considering that I am not the person that makes the choices, let’s see.”
Asked if he’d “welcome Lewis”, Leclerc added: “If I say yes I imagine it being the title of every newspaper.
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“But Lewis is such an incredible driver, he’s achieved so much in the sport so I think anybody in the grid would love to have Lewis as a team-mate.”
Hamilton has not won a race since 2021, when he controversially lost out on a record eighth world championship to Max Verstappen.
He finished third in last year’s driver standings, only behind Verstappen and Sergio Perez and two places above Leclerc.
The Mercedes stalwart joined the Silver Arrows from McLaren in 2013.
He has since added six world titles to his tally, as well as 82 race wins.
Sainz, who is set to be shunted out of Ferrari by Hamilton’s arrival, has been linked with a move to the new Audi team, who will take over at Sauber.
The Spaniard, 29, was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race in 2023.
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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
