Hamilton reveals why Ferrari move failed after Mercedes driver’s ‘conversations’

Following the driver’s “conversations” with Mercedes, Hamilton acknowledges why the Ferrari move failed.

Lewis Hamilton has now acknowledged that despite their tentative discussions, the Mercedes driver “never felt ready” to live in Italy, so their plan to drive for Ferrari never materialized.

Early in the season, the 38-year-old’s potential return to Formula 1 was the subject of widespread rumors.
Hamilton is facing only his second winless season and only had a contract with Mercedes through the end of 2023.
However, he consented to sign the document in August.

Hamilton’s future has been secured by Mercedes with a £50 million contract that runs through the end of 2025. It also expanded his affiliation with the German luxury vehicle manufacturer.
Since his first season at McLaren, the brand has supported the British driver throughout his entire F1 career.

In his “conversations,” Lewis Hamilton admits that he wants to drive for Ferrari.

However, rumors of interest from Ferrari grew as time passed and Mercedes and Hamilton were still negotiating a new contract. The Scuderia was prepared to pay the seven-time F1 champion £40 million annually, according to a May Daily Mail report. It would have been equal to his prior pay.

John Elkann, the president of Ferrari, was even rumored to be in constant contact with Hamilton regarding a possible Mercedes move.
The star, who was born in Stevenage, has since made it clear that while his camp did speak with the Maranello team, a decision to race in red was never really close.

When asked if he had ever thought about leaving Mercedes, Hamilton replied, “Not really.”.
“Never. Okay, we have definitely had a few informal conversations [with Ferrari].
There are a lot of good people I know.
To move to Italy, however, I had never felt ready.
“.

The 2025 season marks Lewis Hamilton’s commitment to Mercedes.

Hamilton has been propelled by Mercedes to win seven Formula 1 championships to date, tying Michael Schumacher for the most all-time.
However, Red Bull overtook the Silver Arrows as F1’s dominant team after the sport reintroduced ground-effect cars for the 2022 season.

After going 15 years with at least one win per season, Hamilton is now facing its second winless campaign.
To partner Charles Leclerc or Carlos Sainz in red, he considered doing so, but he chose to remain loyal to Mercedes. Ferrari has also not come close to defeating Red Bull.

Ferrari began the year of 2022 as a legitimate title contender, but their hopes were dashed when Max Verstappen and Red Bull easily won both championships.
Another double is also expected for the Milton Keynes team and their Dutch driver.
Since 2008, Ferrari has failed to claim either title.