“Hamilton-Ferrari, It Was the Driver Who Turned Down the Offer”
“One of the most intriguing driver market scenarios in Formula 1 involves Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari, a pairing with immense media potential that never materialized and, unless there are unexpected twists in the coming months, won’t. The British driver and the Scuderia Ferrari came close at least twice until 2022, but it never progressed beyond mere ‘soundings’ to test the waters and assess if the conditions were right for a partnership.
However, this year has brought a slightly different narrative. Sources close to both Maranello and the Brackley-based team have revealed that Ferrari indeed made an offer to Lewis Hamilton. It’s not even difficult to pinpoint the timing: the incident unfolded during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, where Ferrari President John Elkann was spotted engaging in conversation with Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff. The Austrian subsequently let slip a cryptic ‘You tell me, we didn’t talk about drivers…’
Leo Turrini, an Italian journalist well-known for his insights into Ferrari’s inner workings, confirmed what Michael Schmidt of Auto Motor und Sport had stated: ‘Lewis Hamilton was personally contacted by John Elkann. It seems he politely replied with a “No, thank you.” And one can understand why (unfortunately).’
The Reasons Behind the Rejection
Lewis Hamilton had (and still has) a contract expiring at the end of 2023, but his renewal details are in progress. Ferrari already has Charles Leclerc under contract and is focusing on renewing that agreement, with the full intention of making the Monegasque driver a cornerstone not only of the present but also of the near future. Changing the scenario, both for Charles Leclerc and the seven-time champion, would be a gamble that offers no guarantees in the battle against Red Bull, which requires certainties for success, not additional variables. No matter how appealing it may seem.”
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