Ferrari is reportedly preparing to attract Lewis Hamilton to its team for the 2024 F1 season with a substantial financial offer.
Hamilton is currently in the final year of his contract with Mercedes, where he has won six world titles since joining in 2013. However, Mercedes has faced challenges in delivering competitive equipment in recent seasons and, despite Hamilton’s verbal commitment, has yet to sign a new deal.
With seven world titles, Hamilton is determined to win an eighth championship, breaking Michael Schumacher’s record. The possibility of achieving this with Ferrari, the team where Schumacher has become an icon, is intriguing.
Sources suggest Ferrari are willing to offer Hamilton a contract worth around £40m to entice him to leave Mercedes for Maranello. President Elkann leads the charge in pursuit of the British driver. Should Hamilton sign for Ferrari, reports indicate the team will consider pairing him with Charles Leclerc, potentially leaving Carlos Sainz to deny recent rumors of an Audi project needing a new team.
The other option on the table is a swap deal that would see Leclerc take Hamilton’s place at Mercedes. However, it has been mentioned that Mercedes is willing to match Ferrari’s financial efforts to keep Hamilton.
Despite Mercedes’ recent challenges, Hamilton’s relationship with the team remains strong, as has been made clear amid speculation about his future. However, Hamilton has proven in the past that he is willing to make bold decisions if deemed necessary, such as the surprising move from McLaren to Mercedes.
The outcome of such a decision hinges on Ferrari providing Hamilton with a better opportunity to win an eighth title. Currently, neither Ferrari nor Mercedes pose a significant threat to Red Bull. Ferrari continues to struggle with tire management issues, hampering their performance on race days. A move to Mercedes could be an attractive option for Leclerc, who wants more title challenges.
Had Hamilton joined Ferrari, it would have been a change of scenery rather than a better platform to chase an eighth title. Given his commitment and satisfaction with Mercedes, it’s hard to imagine why Hamilton would make such a move.
