Hamilton is to sign a three-year deal with the German manufacturing giant, worth a reported £15million a year..
Although McLaren principal Martin Whitmarsh admitted just three weeks ago there was "no plan B" should Hamilton quit, but it is understood Sauber's Sergio Perez is to replace the 27-year-old at the Woking-based team.
Hamilton has been associated with McLaren throughout his career, and aged just 10 famously approached then team principal Ron Dennis at an awards ceremony, telling him: "I want to race for you one day ... I want to race for McLaren."
Hamilton made his F1 debut with McLaren in the 2007 season and went on to win the driver's title in 2008.
The move is set to send Michael Schumacher into retirement for a second time. Hamilton will partner close friend Nico Rosberg at Mercedes, leaving Schumacher out in the cold, but with the prospect of staying on as a brand ambassador for the team.
Germany's seven-time world champion hung up his helmet at the end of the 2006 season, going from Ferrari driver to advisor and car developer at the famous Italian team.
But he was tempted out of retirement for the 2010 season after Mercedes took over Brawn GP, which had won the constructors' championship and the drivers' championship through Jenson Button the previous season.
Schumacher, 43, has managed just one podium finish during his time at Mercedes, with third place in Valencia this year, and has been outperformed by teammate Nico Rosberg every year.
With Hamilton's move sparking a domino effect there is a possibility 43-year-old Schumacher could yet join another team, but it is likely he will retire for a second time.
As for Hamilton, it is now clear he is to cut his ties with McLaren.
Lewis Hamilton Old and new: Lewis Hamilton tops the podium in Monza with Sergio Perez (left) in second and Fernando Alonso (right) third
Hamilton has spent the last few weeks agonising over the decision, having signed for the team at the age of 13.
Mercedes entered into talks with McLaren's management company XIX Entertainment several weeks ago.
Their offer was significant, not only in terms of money, but vitally allowing Hamilton greater freedom with regard to his image rights and less impact on his personal time from sponsorship appearances.
By contrast, McLaren's opening gambit was to cut Hamilton's salary by a third given the current economic climate, which was hardly an ideal starting point.
As a storm gathered around Hamilton at the Italian Grand Prix, a race he won from pole, it appeared then he was on his way.
However, McLaren countered Mercedes with an improved contract offer of £2million per year, which is understood to have swayed Hamilton, especially given the team's form at the time.
In Singapore at the weekend Whitmarsh and Hamilton both appeared more relaxed, and the signs were then Hamilton would stay, with one source confirming a deal was "85-90 per cent" done.
Even F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone conceded at the weekend Hamilton was in two minds because according to the 81-year-old "he was definitely on his way, no matter what".
Despite the financial inducements being offered by Mercedes, Hamilton must also believe in the vision being offered to him by team boss Ross Brawn.
Since winning world titles with the Brawn GP team in 2009, and with Hamilton's current McLaren team-mate Jenson Button at the wheel, Brawn has slowly built up Mercedes over the past few years.
Mercedes have only won one of 52 races since Mercedes took over Brawn GP at the end of the 2009, but the core of people behind the scenes is second to none.
Importantly, with new engine regulations due to come into force in 2014 as F1 switches to a new turbo era, Mercedes should have an advantage as a manufacturer and with McLaren as a customer.
Without doubt Hamilton's move is a gamble, especially given his long-stated ambition to win multiple world titles.
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