Formula 1

Could Hamilton’s Long-Standing Dream of Driving for Ferrari Finally Become a Reality?

Published

1 week ago

23/05/2023

As whispers of a tempting offer from Ferrari for the seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton grow louder, the racing world watches with bated breath. Will the allure of the famed Italian automaker and the chance to round off a glittering career with a dream move outweigh the bonds Hamilton has formed with Mercedes? The answer is more complex than it seems.

Rumors that Ferrari is keen on acquiring Lewis Hamilton have gained traction, following the suggestion that the company has put forward an enticing offer to the seven-time Formula 1 champion.

Listening to Ferrari’s proposal doesn’t hurt Hamilton in any way, as it makes sense for him to explore all possibilities even though he’s likely inclined to remain with a team that he has developed a strong bond with and that provides a clear opportunity for a post-F1 long-term relationship.

At this point, however, if Hamilton decides to seriously contemplate the shift, the argument for leaving Mercedes and signing on with Ferrari has never been more compelling.

As of now, there is no solid competitive justification for Hamilton to leave Mercedes for Ferrari. There isn’t compelling evidence to infer that Mercedes has greater weaknesses compared to Red Bull than Ferrari does (generally, it lags on Saturdays but outperforms on Sundays). Neither is there a persuasive argument that Ferrari is better positioned to mitigate its weaknesses and close the gap in a way that Mercedes is not able to.

Furthermore, Ferrari doesn’t provide a competitive advantage in the short or medium term that Mercedes lacks. This scenario is quite distinct from the one Hamilton faced when he had to choose between McLaren and Mercedes in 2012, as the same level of vision or opportunity is simply not present.

So, if the decision is viewed strictly from a competitive perspective, a move to Ferrari doesn’t present a clear-cut enhancement. However, it might not be any worse than Hamilton’s current position. This implies a shift in the competitive dynamics, as Mercedes is no longer unquestionably superior to Ferrari, which it used to be.

When it was obvious that Mercedes was the best competitive option for Hamilton, the emotional or sentimental appeal of a move to Ferrari barely figured in his career decisions. The changing situation could now lend much greater weight to this factor. A substantial argument for such a move might be emerging, something that was hardly plausible before.

The scales might tip further in Ferrari’s favor in the coming months if Mercedes once again fails to take a necessary step or demonstrate that it has effectively mastered the current ruleset and can actually match Red Bull. This is what Mercedes truly needs to offer Hamilton – a promise that the successes of the past can be replicated. This becomes even more significant if Ferrari begins to make substantial progress.

If Hamilton starts to believe that Mercedes may never fully regain their competitive edge, or that the gap is too large to close within his remaining years in F1 racing, then this would substantially alter the framework within which he makes his decision.

Naturally, Hamilton might place paramount importance on loyalty, or he might prioritize securing a lifetime ambassadorial role with Mercedes by staying on. There’s a possibility that this position could be jeopardized if he were to leave towards the twilight of his career, spending his final years competing against the brand.

But if it boils down to a direct choice between the two, and Hamilton senses that the decision won’t significantly impact his competitive prospects – if he’s merely choosing which of the two teams to jostle with for the second or third spot, and the pursuit of an eighth world championship is just a vague dream – then a shift to Ferrari could begin to seem rather appealing.

Ferrari is the only team besides Mercedes that Hamilton would consider driving for. Given his myriad accomplishments both on and off the track, it’s unlikely he would ever regret not leaving McLaren or Mercedes for Ferrari. However, the ‘what if?’ question might persist. Hamilton might be interested in crossing this off as a personal goal or ambition. If any driver has earned the privilege of a bucket list move, even if it ends up being somewhat of a career postscript, it’s the most successful driver of all time.

The allure of driving for Ferrari, though grand and somewhat elusive, doesn’t necessarily hinge on competitiveness. This offers a direct contrast to the emotional and sentimental appeal of staying with Mercedes, which is a potent element in any decision-making process for Hamilton.

There are abundant reasons both for and against such a move. From a sports perspective, it would be quite a challenge to leave a familiar setting and carve out a space in another team – whether that’s Charles Leclerc’s or even Carlos Sainz’s – and consequently, it would involve a substantial risk. Hamilton could join Ferrari and face defeat. This could feed into the narrative of some critics who argue that he’s been outshone by George Russell (regardless of the actual accuracy of that claim), especially if it appeared that he couldn’t perform outside Mercedes.

However, it could also present an opportunity to fortify his legendary status, demonstrating that his success wasn’t solely due to Mercedes. The tantalizing, albeit remote, possibility of being the driver who finally brings Ferrari back to prominence would be an attractive proposition for any driver.

On the whole, the disadvantages of leaving Mercedes are likely still more substantial, for a variety of reasons. But there is undeniably a stronger case for a switch to Ferrari than what might appear at first glance, particularly when compared to prior years.

In the not-so-distant past, staying with Mercedes would have been an obvious choice. Yet, the thought of potentially driving for Ferrari one day has been lingering in Hamilton’s mind for an extremely long time.

If there was ever a time for this aspiration to come to fruition, it would be now: a final grand gesture and a sentimental appeal that wouldn’t be as persuasive if Mercedes hadn’t been dethroned as F1’s predominant competitive entity.

Hamilton F1 Ferrari offer Could Hamilton’s Long-Standing Dream of Driving for Ferrari Finally Become a Reality? Hamilton F1 Ferrari offer Could Hamilton’s Long-Standing Dream of Driving for Ferrari Finally Become a Reality? Hamilton F1 Ferrari offer Could Hamilton’s Long-Standing Dream of Driving for Ferrari Finally Become a Reality?

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12 Comments

aksas

23/05/2023 at 17:32

Time for a conspiracy theory: Is Charles Leclerc playing hardball with Ferrari on contract renewals? He sees the surge of money available for top talent and wants his cut. And who better for Ferrari to flirt with than Lewis Hamilton to curb Leclerc’s ambitions? Leaks from Ferrari about “offers” to Hamilton (with no one denying it!!!) must be unsettling for Charles more than Carlos. If Charles thinks Ferrari has no choice but to give him what he wants, he might be overplaying his hand. My prediction: If Carlos wins this Sunday, Charles will re-sign under Ferrari’s terms. Probably by Monday :-)…………….P.S. Does anyone really believe Lewis would go to Ferrari for less than he’s earning at Mercedes? In my opinion, if the new car’s performance isn’t promising, I believe he’d be motivated to shake things up, regardless of the cost.

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moise

23/05/2023 at 17:28

Indeed, we shouldn’t categorize Vasseur with the others quite yet. There’s still reason to believe he’s got a good handle on things.

Welcome to the F1 silly season, after all! We might as well go with the flow. Betting all our hopes for a non-Red Bull victory on a Monaco-sized miracle, like everyone seems to be doing, may not be the best strategy. If Max Verstappen pulls off a win this Sunday, at least it won’t come as a shock to us.

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IZUEL

23/05/2023 at 17:27

The only rational reason for Hamilton to join Ferrari might indeed be the potential mutual boost for both brands. Ferrari could tap into a broader audience it hasn’t seen since Schumacher’s days, resulting in the sale of ample Hamilton-Ferrari merchandise! Simultaneously, Hamilton’s fanbase could expand even further. There’s always been a sense that Hamilton admired Ferrari, and in my opinion, his motivation might not be about amassing more victories or championships; he might simply cherish the idea of donning the iconic red.

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olivier

23/05/2023 at 17:26

This speculation might be baseless, but should Hamilton make a move and secure a title with Ferrari, it would undoubtedly be a remarkable finale to his illustrious career. However, such a triumph would hinge on Ferrari’s ability to design a car with true championship-winning potential.

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sandra

23/05/2023 at 17:25

The prospect of Lewis Hamilton driving for Ferrari in Italy, with his substantial social media following possibly doubling or even tripling, could be quite overwhelming. Prepare to see him sporting the latest avant-garde fashion from the Milan runways. Charles’ foray into silk trousers was already a sight to behold; now picture Hamilton stepping into the Italian fashion scene…it promises to be quite a spectacle!

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Pierre

23/05/2023 at 17:24

This only reinforces the perception of Ferrari as a team making ill-judged decisions, much like Juventus signing Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018 primarily for commercial reasons, a move that didn’t pan out as expected. Then Manchester United repeated the error in 2021, leading to a significant backward slide in their performance last season. I fear Ferrari is on a similar trajectory.
As an ardent Ferrari fan, I admit I don’t particularly support Lewis Hamilton. Nonetheless, it doesn’t seem to matter because, as Dieter Rencken elaborated in his article, Ferrari’s flawed corporate culture seems incurable, preventing the team from becoming world champions again.
Perhaps it would be better for Ferrari to essentially disregard their efforts until 2026, focusing instead on creating the fastest car for that season. Yet, they seem to be persistently clinging to a disastrous car concept with an unresolvable tyre wear issue, which will likely prevent them from even winning a single race before 2026.

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laura

23/05/2023 at 15:18

If performance is the key criterion, then the choice may not matter significantly. It’s tough to admit, but it seems unlikely that either Ferrari or Mercedes will manage to catch up with Red Bull before 2026.

Both teams have too many issues to resolve before they can seriously challenge a team that has built a formidable car and boasts a consistently fast and relentless driver at the helm. Furthermore, there’s no sign that Red Bull has reached a development ceiling with the RB19.

My guess is that Hamilton will choose to remain with Mercedes because of their steadfast support over the years. And, reciprocally, Mercedes would want Hamilton to stay, given his longstanding affiliation with the brand.

However, if the allure of driving for Ferrari truly captivates him, he could make the switch at a moment’s notice. I believe Ferrari would welcome the idea of having a seasoned driver like Hamilton beside Leclerc, aiding in his development. Meanwhile, Mercedes would retain the promise of a gifted young driver and sufficient funds to scout for another capable one.

Has the “silly season” of F1 speculation begun already? I’ve lost track.

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Christophe

23/05/2023 at 15:16

If:-There’s no clear path to improvement for Mercedes that would give Lewis Hamilton a chance at an -8th World Championship.
-There’s not much interest in Hamilton being a future Mercedes ambassador.
-Toto Wolff is considering cutting costs for a potential contract renewal for Hamilton.
-Retirement could be on the horizon for Hamilton in a few years.
-An 8th World Championship seems unlikely or impossible.
-Then why shouldn’t Hamilton consider joining Scuderia Ferrari?

Pros: -It fulfills a young Hamilton’s dream of driving a red Ferrari in F1.
-He might get €40 million from Ferrari, potentially more than what Mercedes would offer.
-The food in Emilia Romagna, Italy, is fantastic.
-Italian fans will embrace him regardless, especially at Monza, where even a controversial driver could earn cheers if he drove a Ferrari.
-Every minor event in Hamilton’s life will be fodder for Italian press coverage.
-There’s a 50/50 chance that Ferrari will regain their form before Mercedes.
-In conclusion, I agree with Scott. This move could indeed happen.

The silver lining in all this confusion, I hope, would be Charles Leclerc filling the vacancy left by Hamilton at Mercedes. That would be a major win for me. Ciao!

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Hughesy01

23/05/2023 at 15:12

I must say, I find it hard to see it happening, even though I believe that Fred is the best Team Principal they’ve had since Todt. Looking at it operationally, there’s no clear indication that Ferrari has the capacity to catch up to Red Bull more quickly than Mercedes. They had more wind tunnel time for their 2022 car design than either Red Bull or Mercedes, and they still ended up using even more time than the other two as they became engrossed in a title fight.

Despite all these advantages and talk of daring and being a challenger, what did they gain? Roughly half a season as the best qualifying car, a couple of races as co-best race car, and despite retaining the ATR advantage over Red Bull, they’re still about a second behind in race pace.

And Mercedes? Oh, dear Mercedes. They got absolutely everything wrong with the W13, yet it was still the third fastest car. By the end of the year, they had improved this disappointment to such an extent that it could win races. In fact, it even deceived them into continuing with that same flawed design into this season. However, they’ve (at last) acknowledged that mistake, and frankly, they should be embarrassed for not listening to the driver whose feedback led them to design the most phenomenal F1 car in history, a dream on wheels.

Mercedes will now begin to move forward. “But what about Aston Martin, Ferrari, or whoever else?” It’s irrelevant. Sure, Aston will soon be a title contender, and Ferrari could potentially avoid botching everything up. But if I were a betting man, I know who I’d wager on getting closest.

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Stef

23/05/2023 at 15:09

Money, If Hamilton decides to switch teams, it will likely be primarily driven by financial considerations and the desire to preserve his brand as a premier driver. I believe there’s probably some truth to these rumors.

Leclerc has demonstrated impatience, and it’s not unthinkable that he might be exploring opportunities outside of Ferrari, with Mercedes being a logical destination.

As I understand it, Leclerc is eager to achieve success, and money may not be his primary motivator. At present, Mercedes is paying a hefty sum for Hamilton, who has expressed dissatisfaction. Consequently, you have a situation where a lot of money is being spent on a driver who is criticizing your car, which is undoubtedly unpleasant for all parties involved.

It will be fascinating to observe how things unfold, but it does seem plausible that we could soon hear news of Hamilton and Leclerc swapping places!

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James

23/05/2023 at 15:08

This might simply be a tactic to gain an upper hand during his contract discussions with Mercedes.

When faced with a wager on whether Mercedes or Ferrari will ultimately come out on top, which would you place your bet on? Personally, I’d lean towards Mercedes.

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DR

23/05/2023 at 15:07

Shifting from Mercedes to Ferrari could potentially be an erroneous decision. It’s unlikely that he would choose that route. Currently, Ferrari doesn’t seem to be on a trajectory of improvement. Compared to Ferrari, Mercedes appears to be in a stronger position to clinch a championship

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