Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari
Discussion
TheDeuce said:
Makes no sense to me for a driver to leave a team ahead of Ferrari for Ferrari, when Ferrari have easy to identify issues to solve.
But that's the draw of Ferrari, and they have a long history of luring current and former WDCs to the team. Prost, Schumacher and Vettel were all multiple champions who stepped down to Ferrari from more successful teams.thegreenhell said:
TheDeuce said:
Makes no sense to me for a driver to leave a team ahead of Ferrari for Ferrari, when Ferrari have easy to identify issues to solve.
But that's the draw of Ferrari, and they have a long history of luring current and former WDCs to the team. Prost, Schumacher and Vettel were all multiple champions who stepped down to Ferrari from more successful teams.Also I think that, for whatever reason, Ferrari really are struggling to keep pace with some aspects of modern F1 as a top team now. It's as if their strategy team just aren't as advanced in terms of how they process incoming data and make sound decisions as the other top teams - they appear constantly on the back foot. They can still make an incredible car in terms of pace - but even then in various ways reliability/dependency falls short of what Mercedes and RBR now deliver.
I think the average F1 driver does still like the idea of going to the red team as part of their career - but the reality these days is perhaps a deterrent for many of them. It's been so many years of mistakes, so many of those years when Ferrari had a great car but lost control in endless other ways. Going to Ferrari might be a career 'nice to have' but to a racing driver that still believes they can win - why would they go to a team that seemingly can't get enough wins even if they have the 'fastest car' on paper, or in fact even when they were cheating!? they STILL managed to screw up often enough to eradicate their unfair advantage. Lewis is certainly a fantastic driver - but how can he believe he can do more with their car than they could do by cheating fuel flow limits? And if they still lost then... that raises some significant questions about the teams ability to manage a winning season regardless of how great the car or drivers are.
I don’t personally think he will go (although if he does I’m buying my ticket for Monza 2024 as soon as they go on sale). However a lot of posters here have, to paraphrase, said why would Lewis move to a disfunctional team which doesn’t seem to know what it’s doing without considering what shots he might call about who moved to Ferrari with him.
InformationSuperHighway said:
Teppic said:
Nova Gyna said:
Lewis says no contact from Ferrari.
Fred Vasseur has also rubbished the rumours.https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/vasseur-rubbish...
InformationSuperHighway said:
So we should expect an announcement of him signing soon then
I thought the same thing 
Will be interesting to see if the "more than zero" sidepods help the car although they can't afford a complete new tub and design this year because of the budget cap.
This could be a crucial factor in retaining him.
I don't see what either party stands to gain from this. Hamilton is in a team that have propelled him to iconic status in F1 history, they are all used to working together and know how to get the best out of each other.
Ferrari have got 2 young and very talented drivers (who admittedly still have some learning to do) which should stand them in good stead over the next few years, assuming of course they can get the cars and strategy right.
The only 'pros' I can see is if Lewis wants to drive a Ferrari, because Ferrari and that the marketing/sponsorship opportunities would be pretty strong.
Ferrari have got 2 young and very talented drivers (who admittedly still have some learning to do) which should stand them in good stead over the next few years, assuming of course they can get the cars and strategy right.
The only 'pros' I can see is if Lewis wants to drive a Ferrari, because Ferrari and that the marketing/sponsorship opportunities would be pretty strong.
nickfrog said:
Will be interesting to see if the "more than zero" sidepods help the car although they can't afford a complete new tub and design this year because of the budget cap.
This could be a crucial factor in retaining him.
I would be highly surprised if one car update had any major bearing on his future with the team.This could be a crucial factor in retaining him.
nickfrog said:
Muzzer79 said:
I would be highly surprised if one car update had any major bearing on his future with the team.
I wouldn't. Particularly as it's not just an update but a major change of direction and finally the admission that they can't stay stuck in the rabbit hole. He knows that this year is a write off. It's whether he believes that the journey will yield results next year.
If the car is faster or not now is irrelevant. It's about the people involved and the development for the next years.
MrBig said:
I don't see what either party stands to gain from this. Hamilton is in a team that have propelled him to iconic status in F1 history, they are all used to working together and know how to get the best out of each other.
Ferrari have got 2 young and very talented drivers (who admittedly still have some learning to do) which should stand them in good stead over the next few years, assuming of course they can get the cars and strategy right.
The only 'pros' I can see is if Lewis wants to drive a Ferrari, because Ferrari and that the marketing/sponsorship opportunities would be pretty strong.
Ferrari need a star driver as they’re seriously lacking at the moment. Their current line up reminds me of Alesi/Berger - talented, yes, but also clueless and lacking in consistency.Ferrari have got 2 young and very talented drivers (who admittedly still have some learning to do) which should stand them in good stead over the next few years, assuming of course they can get the cars and strategy right.
The only 'pros' I can see is if Lewis wants to drive a Ferrari, because Ferrari and that the marketing/sponsorship opportunities would be pretty strong.
LH would do well there but I’m sure he won’t want to break the Merc connection.
He is stuck.
Ferrari is a no go, IMVHO and a sideways move. He also offers nothing for them as their current drivers are getting close to maximum from the car.
Red Bull dont need him. Max wants a wing man not an equal. If Max left.. maybe. But thats not going to happen. Perez is a very good driver too and they are not going to let him go. Their current line up is basically perfect.
Aston. If / when Alonso retires then yeah. Thats 2025 though. I can see Fred having a pop at the WDC next year if Red Bull even slip up in the slightest which might see him into OMY territory.
The only move that is possible in my view is... and dont laugh, McLaren. Neither driver setting the world on fire and may be into contract termination territory. He would not "do a button" though and would want to quit at the top.
But, being realistic he will re-sign for another 1-2 years at Mercedes. Hamilton always wanted to get 10 Championships. But its slipping away fast now. He probably has another 4-5 years left.
Ferrari is a no go, IMVHO and a sideways move. He also offers nothing for them as their current drivers are getting close to maximum from the car.
Red Bull dont need him. Max wants a wing man not an equal. If Max left.. maybe. But thats not going to happen. Perez is a very good driver too and they are not going to let him go. Their current line up is basically perfect.
Aston. If / when Alonso retires then yeah. Thats 2025 though. I can see Fred having a pop at the WDC next year if Red Bull even slip up in the slightest which might see him into OMY territory.
The only move that is possible in my view is... and dont laugh, McLaren. Neither driver setting the world on fire and may be into contract termination territory. He would not "do a button" though and would want to quit at the top.
But, being realistic he will re-sign for another 1-2 years at Mercedes. Hamilton always wanted to get 10 Championships. But its slipping away fast now. He probably has another 4-5 years left.
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