Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has made his first comments following the announcement he will join Ferrari at the start of the 2025 season. 

Hamilton, who has won six drivers' championships since joining Mercedes in 2013, says he wanted a new challenge after his 12th — and now final — season with the Silver Arrows comes to an end. 

The bombshell announcement was made on Friday morning AEDT with the Brit set to join Charles Leclerc for the Scuderia, at the expense of Carlos Sainz.

On Sunday morning AEDT, Hamilton took to social media to explain why he will complete one of the most high-profile team changes in any sport.

"It's been a crazy few days which have been filled with a whole range of emotions," he wrote.

"But as you all now know, after an incredible 11 years at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, the time has come for me to start a new chapter in my life and I will be joining Scuderia Ferrari in 2025.

"I feel incredibly fortunate, after achieving things with Mercedes that I could only have dreamed of as a kid, that I now have the chance to fulfil another childhood dream. Driving in Ferrari red."

While the excitement of 2025 is at the forefront of many fans' minds, Hamilton still has 24 races left with Mercedes to try and claim an eighth world championship.