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

Follow us on Google Discover

Lewis Hamilton has now admitted that a move to drive for Ferrari never materialised as the Mercedes pilot ‘never felt ready’ to live in Italy despite them having tentative talks.

The 38-year-old was the subject of widespread speculation regarding his future in Formula 1 earlier this season. Hamilton only had a contract with Mercedes until the end of 2023 and is facing only his second-ever winless campaign. But he agreed to put pen to paper in August.

Mercedes have locked Hamilton’s future down through until the end of 2025 with a £50m-a-year contract. It further extended his association with the German luxury vehicles company, too. The brand has powered the Briton’s entire career in F1 since his rookie year at McLaren.

Lewis Hamilton opens up on his ‘conversations’ to drive for Ferrari

But as time lapsed and Mercedes were yet to agree on a new contract with Hamilton, claims increased of interest at Ferrari. The Daily Mail reported in May that the Scuderia were ready to pay the seven-time F1 champion £40m-a-year. It would have matched his previous salary.

Ferrari president John Elkann was even thought to be in close contact with Hamilton about a proposed move from Mercedes. But the Stevenage-born star has now clarified that while his camp indeed spoke with the Maranello team, a move to race in red was never actually close.

“Not really,” Hamilton told Blick when asked if he ever considered leaving Mercedes. “Never. Okay, we’ve definitely had a few casual conversations [with Ferrari]. I know a lot of good people there. But I never felt ready to move to Italy.”

Lewis Hamilton committed to Mercedes through the 2025 season

Mercedes have powered Hamilton to his seven Formula 1 titles to date to share the all-time record with Michael Schumacher. But the Silver Arrows fell away from being F1’s dominant squad to Red Bull following the sport re-introducing ground-effect cars for the 2022 season.

Now, Hamilton is facing a second winless season after going 15 straight years with at least a win each season. But he pledged his commitment to Mercedes over jumping ship to partner Charles Leclerc or Carlos Sainz in red. Ferrari have not been close to beating Red Bull, either.

While Ferrari started 2022 as a true title contender, their hopes fell to pieces as Red Bull and Max Verstappen ran away with both championships. The team from Milton Keynes and their Dutch driver are also set to get another double. Ferrari have not won either title since 2008.