Should Ferrari keep Carlos?
Discussion
It was a tremendous scoop for Ferrari to sign Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 season but it meant that they had to get rid of someone. Charles is , so it seems, a permanent member of the team so the axe fell upon Carlos, a driver who has been performing strongly on a number of occasions.
The very hierarchy of Ferrari decided that Lewis would be a good match for the team and that may have been the case a few years ago but is it now?
Ferrari are a very rich team so they can afford to honour their paycheque to Lewis and tell him that they have had second thoughts. Lewis can become an ambassador for Ferrari as a car manufacturer and get his money from that side of the company. He can be involved in the design and manufacturing of high profile road and track cars, fashion and luxury items. That’s a long term strategy for both Ferrari and Lewis.
The very hierarchy of Ferrari decided that Lewis would be a good match for the team and that may have been the case a few years ago but is it now?
Ferrari are a very rich team so they can afford to honour their paycheque to Lewis and tell him that they have had second thoughts. Lewis can become an ambassador for Ferrari as a car manufacturer and get his money from that side of the company. He can be involved in the design and manufacturing of high profile road and track cars, fashion and luxury items. That’s a long term strategy for both Ferrari and Lewis.
Yes, I think they should keep Carlos, but I agree with the OP that Ferrari's hiring of Lewis is part a longer term brand vision that will extend well beyond his driving career. The initial driving part has to happen to give the longer term partnership some credibility. Carlos's career is, unfortunately, collateral damage in all of this.
Aside from the fact it won't happen, I do really like Carlos but in all honesty is he a safer bet for a title (of any kind) than Hamilton? Jury is out but time is ticking on Carlos like it did for Danny Ric, being likeable isn't going to get you a championship.
Is LH on the decline? Perhaps. Is he losing interest with F1? This season for sure. Is he capable of race wins in the right car? Absolutely. Could he still win a title in the future? You'd have to look at Alonso and think, he'd probably be capable in the right car so why wouldn't Hamilton?
Is LH on the decline? Perhaps. Is he losing interest with F1? This season for sure. Is he capable of race wins in the right car? Absolutely. Could he still win a title in the future? You'd have to look at Alonso and think, he'd probably be capable in the right car so why wouldn't Hamilton?
Tazar said:
Lewis can become an ambassador for Ferrari as a car manufacturer and get his money from that side of the company. He can be involved in the design and manufacturing of high profile road and track cars, fashion and luxury items. That’s a long term strategy for both Ferrari and Lewis.
But a hopelessly un-pragmatic strategy, so it won't happen.Carlos has talent but I think his inconsistency shows that in a game of musical chairs with Hamilton and LeClerc, he'll be left standing up.
It’s a bit late now, the decision’s been made and the $100m of LH44 merch they’re expecting to sell has been sent for manufacture.
It’s most unfortunate for Carlos, but the Scuderia has a long history of dumping drivers even when they’re winning races.
The Spaniard still has an F1 drive, albeit one that’s not likely to win anything other than the most chaotic of races, but there’s always a chance another team picks him up for ‘26. Aston Martin are going to need two new drivers in the next couple of years, for one example. Red Bull might need two new drivers as well, but he probably doesn’t want to go back there especially with their own version of McLaren Honda (2015-2017) about to happen in 2026.
It’s most unfortunate for Carlos, but the Scuderia has a long history of dumping drivers even when they’re winning races.
The Spaniard still has an F1 drive, albeit one that’s not likely to win anything other than the most chaotic of races, but there’s always a chance another team picks him up for ‘26. Aston Martin are going to need two new drivers in the next couple of years, for one example. Red Bull might need two new drivers as well, but he probably doesn’t want to go back there especially with their own version of McLaren Honda (2015-2017) about to happen in 2026.
Muzzer79 said:
Tazar said:
Lewis can become an ambassador for Ferrari as a car manufacturer and get his money from that side of the company. He can be involved in the design and manufacturing of high profile road and track cars, fashion and luxury items. That’s a long term strategy for both Ferrari and Lewis.
But a hopelessly un-pragmatic strategy, so it won't happen.https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-hamilton-ferra...
I think Bill Bailey recently said the reason he didn't get a role in the hobbit films was probably due to fan stirred up social media petitions to get him a part in the films.
Sainz will suffer the same fate as Ferrari will always remember a campaign launched against them and all the constant pressure distracting them from their plans.
Sainz will suffer the same fate as Ferrari will always remember a campaign launched against them and all the constant pressure distracting them from their plans.
Mr Pointy said:
Muzzer79 said:
Tazar said:
Lewis can become an ambassador for Ferrari as a car manufacturer and get his money from that side of the company. He can be involved in the design and manufacturing of high profile road and track cars, fashion and luxury items. That’s a long term strategy for both Ferrari and Lewis.
But a hopelessly un-pragmatic strategy, so it won't happen.https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-hamilton-ferra...
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