Nico Rosberg says Lewis Hamilton values one clause in his Ferrari contract ‘enormously’

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Lewis Hamilton signed one of the most favourable contracts on the Formula 1 grid when he joined Ferrari. His wages naturally dominate the headlines, but there are other crucial clauses too.

Hamilton received a 50% pay rise when he joined Ferrari, taking his earnings to £44m per year. That makes him one of the best-paid athletes on the planet.

The seven-time world champion hasn’t scored a podium this year, so one would imagine he’s unlikely to net many bonuses as it stands. His form has raised doubts over his future, but he’s in control of the situation.

A report from Italy has revealed that Hamilton can activate a contract option for 2027, rather than Ferrari. That means the team may have to pay him off to suspend the agreement early.

Lewis Hamilton enjoying reduced marketing commitments at Ferrari

Speaking on Sky Sports’ F1 Show, Hamilton’s former teammate Nico Rosberg has revealed another significant perk in his deal. He apparently has to make far fewer commercial appearances than he did at Mercedes.

Rosberg says that Sebastian Vettel only had to do 10 days of promotional events per year. Ferrari don’t necessarily need to tap into their drivers’ frame because their brand is even larger.

The F1 calendar spans 24 races over just under nine months, and that’s without accounting for testing. For Hamilton, the second-oldest driver on the grid, the opportunity to rest outside of his racing duties is invaluable.

“That was one of the reasons for Lewis’ switch to Ferrari, also,” said Rosberg. “Ferrari don’t use their drivers for sponsor dates. They have such a strong brand that they don’t have to offer their sponsors much time with drivers.

“I heard numbers that, in Vettel’s time, it was 10 days he had to do, and that was it. Especially in the twilight of your career, that’s something you value so enormously.

“That was part of Lewis’ reason to go to Ferrari also, part of the decision-making.”

‘I didn’t like Lewis Hamilton’s attitude’ at the Italian Grand Prix, says Jean Alesi

Ferrari clearly haven’t seen the output they expected from Hamilton on track this season. But he’s trying to contribute in other ways as he waits for a breakthrough with the SF-25.

Indeed, Hamilton is sending documents of feedback to Ferrari recommending structural, operational and mechanical changes. Fred Vasseur hoped he would elevate their standards when he signed him from Mercedes.

He was back in the points at the Italian GP as he rallied from 10th, following a five-place grid penalty, to sixth. The British driver ended the weekend feeling far more positive.

But former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi has questioned Hamilton’s ‘attitude’. He can’t understand why he didn’t aid teammate Charles Leclerc with a slipstream in qualifying despite his impending grid drop.

Leclerc ultimately finished fourth, close enough to the McLarens (four seconds) to suggest a podium was possible with a better qualifying performance.