Lewis Hamilton is set to leave Mercedes at the end of the season, to join Ferrari in a completely new chapter of his life after spending 12 years with the German manufacturer.

It will mark the first time he has raced for a non-British team, after beginning his Formula 1 career with McLaren in 2007.

With the Woking-based team, in just his second F1 season, Hamilton claimed his first world champion title, making history as the youngest champion at the time.

He moved to Mercedes in 2013, where he dominated the sport, winning six more titles between 2014 and 2020.

Hamilton has set numerous records, including holding the most race wins in F1 history with 105 victories, two of which were earned this year. Next season, with Ferrari, Hamilton will aim to break Michael Schumacher’s record, which he has only equaled so far, by winning his eighth championship.

In 2025, the seven-time world champion will team up with Charles Leclerc, and together they will work to bring Ferrari back to the top.

The team principal of Mercedes, Toto Wolff, noted the emotional bond with Hamilton will likely remain forever, but he's also eager for a fresh start, with young Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli set to take Hamilton's place.

"I think we had such a great run with Lewis over the last 12 years," said Wolff quoted by Motorsport.com.

"He's always going to be part of the family.

"But obviously, as a competitor, when we try to beat him next year, Kimi joining George clearly brings momentum with it, plus youth and freshness.

"You can feel the kind of smile that is in your organisation with having an 18-year-old in a car.

"But having said that, obviously, there will be moments where Lewis's experience would have benefited the team.”

He added that some believe Hamilton might struggle to adapt to the entirely different culture at Maranello. However, he is confident that Briton will adjust quickly.

"I think many people say that it's going to be really difficult," addressed Wolff.

"But I think if you say it's going to be really difficult, then often it's the opposite.

"Ferrari is a great team, great people, lots of emotion and passion and therefore it's pressure. But I believe they are going to find a way of working with each other.

"There's not been a moment where I've questioned it, and I'm not swayed by other people's comments," he concluded.

As the United States Grand Prix approaches this week, Ferrari sits in third place in the Constructors' Championship, just 34 points behind Red Bull, a gap smaller than what the Austrian team needs to close in order to catch McLaren in the lead.