Two lines, as someone said, just two lines, yet enough to enter the history of racing and sport in general. Lewis Hamilton under Ferrari. The news was in the air and had been chasing for hours, then between yesterday and today the turning point with the official announcement. However, the English champion will join Ferrari starting from 2025 and with a stratospheric salary from 50 million euros a year.
As said, not right away. Lewis will in fact have to face another strange year of limbo in the Mercedes family, from which he has chosen to separate, also because “the time had come“: “Was the hardest decision of my lifebut I’m enthusiastic about this new challenge.” Maranello is now waiting for him, especially after overcoming many obstacles that were part of a transition that seemed like it would no longer happen, but instead. Yes, because Hamilton, in August, had signed the last two-year extension with Mercedes, but leaving a door ajar with an early exit clause. It may be that he had already imagined it, especially in view of the fact that Ferrari has always had its charm and will most likely maintain it as long as racing exists: every driver would like to race for the Italian team at least once in their life best known – and among the most historic and authoritative – in the world.
Precisely the clause was the key to opening the new life in red with the aim of the eighth title, which would be worth overtaking the myth Schumacher: he will run at least until he is 42 thanks to a multi-year agreement. Rewarded by a top star salary (about 40/50 million a year), and galvanized by a leap into the unknown, he who in 17 years of F1 has only changed two teams, McLaren e Mercedes. Leclerc will welcome him, with the usual thoughts of welcome that are addressed to those who change residence, but, ultimately, a little worried about such a cumbersome guest. Who wouldn’t be?
Photo Ansa
It was supposed to be a super secret negotiation, with the various rumors surrounding Carlos Sainz’s failure to extend beyond 2024 to mislead. But, as can happen in such a complex negotiation that involves a significant number of professionals, some draft always pops up. Which infuriated the head of the Stella, This is Wolffwho until a few days ago was unaware of the operation?
“Surprised by the timing, not by the news itself: he told us over a coffee”
The reactions in Mercedes there was no shortage and the Team Principal, This is Wolff, was very clear in expressing what has happened in the last few hours: “We had signed a short contract with Lewis. The farewell didn’t surprise us, but the timing did,” admitted the Austrian manager. In other words, the evolution of the story was surprising for Wolff too (source: Sky Sport). “We met for coffee to talk. Hamilton told us that he would race with Ferrari. We respect his decision to go to Maranello. It will be the last contract of his career for him“, underlined the Mercedes Team Principal. Regarding the relationships between the two teams involved, Wolff was keen to reiterate that: “I have no problem with Frederic Vasseur (Team Principal of the Red, ed.). It’s a tough competition and we work to get the best out of our teams.”
At this point it will be interesting to understand what the sporting management of the teams will be in the World Championship that is about to begin, since certain balances will inevitably change. From this point of view, it won’t be simple for Vasseur and the aforementioned Wolff, having to establish – or not, depending on choices and needs – who is the first and who is the second driver.
Totò Wolff, executive director of Mercedes
John Elkann’s decisive move and Vasseur’s attention to detail
In all likelihood it was John Elkann to make the decisive move to bring Hamilton in Ferrari. His sincere admiration for the seven-time world champion, his belief that he can interpret both the Red on the track and the other projects of the Horse, starting with the fashion collection, were fundamental points of conviction. Vasseur took charge of finalizing the details after ascertaining Sir Lewis’ interest. For the team principal, however, this is a blow with a notable effect: the fans will thank him anyway for giving him Hamilton. But it’s behind it Elkann’s desire Of shaping a Scuderia according to his ideas. There is no question of the Lewis-Charles supercouple in terms of charm, but how to manage it will be the real puzzle.
The physiognomy of Ferrari – which was built on a relationship of controlled rivalry to maximize points collection in the Constructors’ World Championship – will change a lot. Sainz had in fact guaranteed, starting from ’21, an important contribution, even if his commitment was often and unfairly underestimated. In the season that will start on March 2 in Bahrain, Carlos will race separately at home (like Hamilton in Mercedes): it was Sebastian Vettel who faced his last dance in red, in 2020 and in the same situation, but the memories are not exactly memorable.
Why not bring forward the exchange straight away, then? For the penalties to be paid in case of termination? For the technical secrets that each pilot would carry with him? For other unresolved backstories? What is certain is that the news of Hamilton joining Ferrari has also shocked the world of finance, with the title of the Red that not only flies on the track, but also on the stock market.