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“It Wasn’t Unpredictable”: James Allison Shares His Lack of Shock When Lewis Hamilton Announced Mercedes Departure

Pranay Bhagi
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“It Wasn’t Unpredictable”: James Allison Shares His Lack of Shock When Lewis Hamilton Announced Mercedes Departure

Although it’s been over four months since Lewis Hamilton announced the Ferrari move, it still feels like a bit of a shock. While Hamilton’s move left Wolff with a headache to find a replacement, James Allison advised that the move wasn’t unpredictable. The Mercedes technical mastermind was prepared for the move to happen.

Speaking ahead of the Spanish GP, James Allison explained how the contract allowed Hamilton to make the move. Hence, him opting for the option wasn’t a surprise. He said, “I was aware of the nature of the contract we offered. If it then happened, we shouldn’t be surprised because it explicitly a thing we were prepared to happen.”

Allison understood the decision taken by the Briton. But, like many F1 pundits, it was the timing of the decision that shook him. The Mercedes technical director added, “The precise timing and when it happened, that caught everyone a bit on the hop. But that it did happen, I don’t think was unpredictable”.

Lewis Hamilton has been with Mercedes for over a decade and won six championships with the team. While signing the extension with the Silver Arrows in 2023, the 39-year-old suggested that he still has some unfinished business, referring to winning a championship with them after 2021.

Yet, within a few months, the seven-time champion changed his mind and made the Ferrari move. Quite a difficult situation to comprehend for the F1 community.

It is believed that Hamilton asked for a multi-year contract from Mercedes along with an ambassadorial role last year, but was given the 1+1 year contract. The Briton wasn’t happy with the contract, and that is believed to be one of the reasons why he decided to jump ship to Ferrari. The Scuderia are offering the world to Hamilton, that Mercedes didn’t.

Why Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari move makes sense

Mercedes have been struggling to give Lewis Hamilton a car capable of winning since the ground effect cars were introduced. The Briton, who wants to win his eighth championship, wasn’t happy with Mercedes’ subpar cars.

Ferrari, on the other hand, have been Red Bull’s closest competitor with the new era cars. The Scuderia is the only team to have won a race in all three years with the new generation of cars.

Ferrari can provide Hamilton with the chance to fight for wins, and maybe even the championship. The Briton is also being offered $100 million as yearly earnings including his salary along with a promise from John Elkann to invest in Hamilton’s charitable ventures. The seven-time champion’s Ferrari contract is believed to have an ambassadorial role as well, after he decides to retire from F1. 

The ambassadorial role isn’t just beneficial for Hamilton, but also for the Prancing Horse. Lewis Hamilton’s name in itself is a huge brand. Having the 39-year-old as an ambassador is a genius move for Ferrari’s marketing strategy. If Ferrari manages to continue its current form, Hamilton could be back to winning races in 2025.

Post Edited By:Aishwary Gaonkar

About the author

Pranay Bhagi

Pranay Bhagi

Pranay Bhagi is an F1 Journalist at the Sportsrush. He's been following the sport since 2010 and has been a Sebastian Vettel enthusiant since then. He started his F1 journalism journey two years ago and has written over 1300 articles. As an Aston Martin supporter, he hopes for Fernando Alonso to win the 3rd title. Apart from F1, anything with an engine and wheel intruiges him. In true petrolhead sense, he often travels across the country on his motorcycle.

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