Mercedes staff were left 'distraught' when learning of the news that Lewis Hamilton would be leaving them for Ferrari.
The team at Brackley was made aware on Thursday after it emerged the seven-time world champion would be parting ways at the end of the upcoming season.
Hamilton will race for Mercedes for a 12th and final season in 2024 before moving to Ferrari on a multi-year contract.
The 39-year-old has triggered an exit clause in his contract with the Silver Arrows, a deal he only signed last August.
Lewis Hamilton's exit has left Mercedes staff distraught
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Hamilton had previously stated he would spend the rest of his career at Mercedes after first joining in 2013.
He won six of his seven world titles with them but has failed to win a race in any of the last two seasons.
Hamilton was linked with a move to Ferrari last year, rumours that he dismissed at the time.
But he has now committed himself to the Italian giant for what will likely be his final few seasons in the sport.
Hamilton still had a year to run on his contract and has been preparing for the 2024 season with Mercedes.
And the Daily Mail claims the news of his departure left the team's staff shocked and with 'hollow faces'.
No one saw Hamilton's exit coming, with team principal Toto Wolff also left 'aghast' at the stunning development.
After a difficult 2022 season, Hamilton and Mercedes enjoyed an improved 2023, finishing second and third in the constructor's and driver's standings respectively.
But the Brit, in search of a record-breaking eighth world title, seemingly sees Ferrari as the best place for him to attempt to return to previous heights.
Hamilton will become team-mates with Charles Leclerc, with Ferrari confirming on Thursday that Carlos Sainz will leave at the end of 2024.
Leclerc has previously stated he would 'love' to be a team-mate of Hamilton.
But former driver Johnny Herbert says the Monegasque won't welcome Hamilton with open arms.
Herbert told King Casino Bonus: "It will help raise both of their levels. It will be a good thing for the team.
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Lewis Hamilton has been at Mercedes since 2013
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"It will be interesting to see if there are any differences in their setups or their feel for the car.
"What I like about Charles is that when he first came into Ferrari, when a four-time world champion in Sebastian Vettel was there, he didn’t say he was going to come in to learn.
"He literally came in and said, ‘Move aside. This is my team now. I am the young whipper snapper.’
"He has a very good mentality of what he wants. He is not going to welcome Lewis with open arms, let's say.
Lewis Hamilton will be leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari in 2025
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"But he will be up against someone in Lewis who can still be a mighty figure, in mighty that means winning world championships.
"Suddenly the pressure will be very different for Charles.
"That will be where it might be tough for Charles, because he will know that in Lewis there is somebody who can always raise his level."
