Lewis Hamilton is tipped to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari in the latest development. As per a recent report by Gazzetta Motori, the Mercedes star’s switch to the Italian team in 2024 is endorsed by Ferrari president John Elkann, who wants to build a super team with Charles Leclerc.
The F1 world has been hot on Hamilton‘s switch rumors off late. Multiple reports connect the British driver with the Prancing Horse as the 38-year-old is still to renew his contract with Mercedes.
The seven-time world champion’s contract runs out at the end of this season, and there are still no concrete reports of him staying with the Silver Arrows so far and extending the contract. So does this mean Hamilton is off for Ferrari?
The answer is no, at least for the time being. With both Leclerc and his teammate Carlos Sainz having their contract till the end of 2024, Hamilton teaming up with the Monegasque looks feeble. But is it so?
Elkann wants to build a super team, Hamilton and Leclerc
Ferrari president John Elkann always wanted the British driver since 2019. Now, even if there’s a slight chance to poach him from Mercedes, he is ready to go for it.
Elkann, who wants to form a super team by bringing the 38-year-old and putting him alongside the Monegasque, is ready to do it even if he has to shell out $50 million.
10 years since Lewis’ first start for the Team in Melbourne, we’re heading back to Australia. 💛
142 podiums, 82 wins, 77 poles and six titles later…
And we’re not done yet. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/2nC5G8Yazh
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) March 28, 2023
Daily Mail earlier reported that the Ferrari president is already in “close contact” with the Mercedes driver, but there hasn’t been any significant development so far.
On the other hand, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is confident of keeping their star driver in Brackley. Despite his discomfort in discussing the money matter with Hamilton, the Austrian executive feels he will stay back.
Hamilton to Ferrari looks like a good deal, but in reality, it isn’t
The seven-time world champion’s switch to Ferrari might look good on the cards, but from a financial perspective, it isn’t. First of all, they might have to bid adieu to their Spanish sponsor Santander in case Sainz leaves.
Furthermore, the deal might complicate the situation, given Mercedes and Ferrari work in two different ways. The 38-year-old is generally outgoing and will be asking for maximum freedom for the commercial management of his image.
Lewis got to meet some of the awesome kids from @DeadlyScience in Melbourne. 😁
DeadlyScience provide books and STEM resources to remote schools in Australia. 📚🧪
Celebrating Indigenous people in STEM, they hope to inspire the next generation of First nations scientists. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ACEZFcSGDG
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 6, 2023
Furthermore, a fashionista by choice who runs a foundation and often gets sponsored by his team Mercedes will likely find difficulties in Prancing Horse.
This is because Ferrari is not engaged in activities like Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes, and most importantly, the team reserves the commercial rights of its drivers through corporate logic.
