Having been quoted briefly in a Mercedes press release that flagged his departure, Hamilton used an Instagram post on Saturday to give an extensive and more personal insight into his decision, and the thought process behind it.
After years of competing against the Maranello team, the seven-time world champion made it clear that driving for Ferrari has been a long-held ambition.
"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, the time has come for me to start a new chapter in my life, and I will be joining 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."
Hamilton stressed how hard it was to decide to leave a company that he has been associated with since his karting days when he was supported by the Mercedes-backed McLaren team.
"Mercedes has been a huge part of my life since I was 13 years old," he wrote. "So this decision has been the hardest I've ever had to make.
"I'm incredibly proud of all that we've achieved together, and I'm very grateful for the hard work and dedication of everyone I have worked with over the years and of course Toto [Wolff], for his friendship, guidance and leadership.
Source: Autosport