Lewis Hamilton ally set for Ferrari switch as Mercedes staffer ‘agrees terms’ on 2025 move

Jerome d'Ambrosio, presently serving as the Driver Development Director for Mercedes, appears poised to emulate Lewis Hamilton's career move by joining Ferrari.

Hamilton, the star driver for the Silver Arrows, is slated to collaborate with the Italian constructor starting in 2025, culminating a 12-year partnership during which he secured six World Championships.

Following Hamilton's announcement of his switch to Ferrari, reports from PlanetF1 disclosed the existence of a no-poaching clause in the deal, potentially hindering the transfer of key Mercedes personnel to Maranello in 2025.

While figures like race engineer Pete Bonnington and trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin might be targets for Fred Vasseur and Ferrari's hierarchy, they have yet to be swayed to leave Brackley for Maranello. However, one prominent figure is poised to make the transition.

Per a report from Motorsport Nextgen Auto, d'Ambrosio is expected to leave Mercedes at the conclusion of the 2024 season and follow Hamilton to Maranello, assuming the role of Head of Ferrari's Driver Development Program.

While his departure from Mercedes is anticipated at the season's end, there is speculation that the 38-year-old could make the move sooner, potentially during the 2024 summer break.

D'Ambrosio's trajectory in motorsport management has been remarkable. Following his stint in Formula One with Marussia in 2011, he spent six seasons on the Formula E grid from 2014 to 2020.

Transitioning from driving, he assumed the role of Deputy Team Principal with Venturi Racing, subsequently being promoted to Team Principal.

Afterward, he ventured into Formula One, becoming Mercedes' Driver Development Director.

In his current capacity, d'Ambrosio closely oversees Mercedes' young drivers, including Kimi Antonelli and Doriane Pin, as they navigate their rookie campaigns in Formula Two and the F1 Academy series.

He even assumed the role of Acting Team Principal at the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix in lieu of Toto Wolff during the latter's knee surgery.

However, as he prepares for life in Italy, his tenure with Mercedes seems to be drawing to a close.