Lewis Hamilton has opened up about his move to Ferrari from Mercedes, claiming it was the "hardest decision".

The seven-time Formula 1 world champion, 39, will join Ferrari for the 2025 season after 11 years at Mercedes.

Six of Hamilton's record-equalling seven titles have come with the Silver Arrows after moving from McLaren in 2013.

And the British star says he will continue to be a Mercedes fan even after their relationship comes to a close at the end of the 2024 campaign.

Hamilton told the BBC's Back at Base podcast: "Honestly, it was the hardest decision.

"When I left McLaren it was a very, very hard decision also because it was like my family.

"You feel such a part of the family and obviously Mercedes have been such a huge part of my life and we've achieved so much together.

"And the thing is, I will always be a Mercedes fan and we'll always have this incredible history together.

"Even now, after all these years since I left McLaren, I always check where they are and I'm generally always supporting them and that will always be the case for me here also."

Hamilton, who will be racing alongside fellow Brit George Russell with Mercedes this season, says a move to Ferrari was an opportunity he could not turn down.

He added: "It happened very fast and I've known Fred [Frederic Vasseur] for a long time.

"For me, I was excited for a new year, but not really knowing what the future would hold and not really knowing how long I was going to race for, but knowing that I felt super driven and excited to continue to race.

"I mean, the opportunity just popped up and I was like, 'OK, I've got to think for a second'.

"And I didn't have a lot of time to think and I had to just go with my gut feeling and I decided to take the opportunity."

The 2024 F1 season kicks off next Saturday in Bahrain and concludes in Abu Dhabi on December 8.