ewis Hamilton opens up on the stunning Ferrari offer that left him shaken, marking a seismic shift in the Formula 1 landscape
Lewis Hamilton recounted the early days of his transfer to Ferrari, a decision that took the F1 world completely by surprise.
The seven-time world champion joined the Scuderia after 12 seasons with Mercedes F1. During that time, he and the Brackley-based team became the most successful driver-team duo in F1 history, amassing 14 titles between them.
However, the 40-year-old sought new horizons in Maranello, embarking on a decision he never thought he would have the chance to make.
“To be really honest, I had accepted the fact that I was probably never going to drive for Ferrari,” Hamilton told Time.
“I had no problem with that.”
When Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes was up for renewal in 2023, the German manufacturer only offered him a 1+1 deal. This left the door open for him to seek a new home after the 2024 season.
The 105-time Grand Prix winner had informed Frédéric Vasseur, having raced under the Frenchman nearly 20 years ago.
When Vasseur saw the opportunity to bring Hamilton to Ferrari, he called the Briton in late 2023.
“I remember hanging up the phone and almost shaking. I thought, ‘Oh my God!’”
At his home in Colorado, he confided in a friend he was on the phone with.
“I thought, ‘Holy shit.’ I had just signed with Mercedes, well, only a few months ago. It was a lot to take in, and my emotions were running high, so I really had to go for a walk.”
“After that, I was really calm. I knew it was the right thing for me.”
“In winter, we are in a period where we reimagine the future, where we truly reimagine what the dream is. And then I thought, ‘I’m going to Ferrari,’ and it’s the biggest dream!”
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Hamilton Stunned by Ferrari Call: “I Thought, Oh My God!” Hamilton Stunned by Ferrari Call: “I Thought, Oh My God!”
