The Transfer of the Century | Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and His Move to Ferrari in 8 Questions

What brought Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari together to commit until 2025, as per the now confirmed contract? What made the British driver change his mind, breaking his commitment with Mercedes formalized last summer? Here are some answers:

WHY CAN FERRARI SIGN HAMILTON FROM 2025?

Ferrari has only one driver under contract for 2025. Frédéric Vasseur, the team's general manager, expressed last fall the intention to renew contracts with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz for 2025 and beyond before the end of the 2023 season. Leclerc recently signed a "long-term" contract, likely until 2029, and nothing has been finalized with Carlos Sainz. The Spanish driver's leadership at Ferrari has been inconsistent, prompting the team to seek two top-tier drivers to compete for the Constructors' Championship.

WHY DID FERRARI MAKE SAINZ WAIT?

Carlos Sainz, despite leading at times during the season, faced a late-season drop in the championship due to two underwhelming performances. Ferrari experienced a setback, losing the 2nd place in the Constructors' Championship and 14 million euros in prize money. Ferrari recognized the need for two top drivers to compete for the Constructors' title, prompting them to reevaluate their lineup.

WHY CAN HAMILTON BREAK HIS CONTRACT MIDWAY?

Lewis Hamilton, being a star, likely possesses a contractual exit clause after the first of his two engagement years, i.e., by the end of 2024. Without such a clause, Mercedes cannot terminate his second year without his consent.

WHY DOES HAMILTON WANT TO LEAVE?

Hamilton's two winless years have affected his morale, and promises no longer suffice. If the W15 performs well, he would leave with an eighth title, a sense of accomplishment, and a well-rounded career. If the car is unsuccessful, piloting a 2025 model derived from the 2024 version would not be beneficial, as Mercedes focuses on the 2026 model to catch up with Red Bull.

A RISKY ANNOUNCEMENT TIMING?

The W15 and Ferrari's 2024 car, redesigned in the style of Red Bull, have yet to hit the track. If the Ferrari disappoints, Hamilton will have to contend with it in 2025, as Ferrari is unlikely to make significant changes a year before the technical revolution in 2026.

COULD HAMILTON HAVE A TOUGH YEAR AT MERCEDES?

A precedent exists with Fernando Alonso announcing his 2007 move to McLaren in December 2005, with Renault fully supporting his quest for a second title. However, it would be surprising if Mercedes shifted to George Russell in 2024. If the W15 performs well, Mercedes will fully support an eighth-title pursuit by Lewis Hamilton. Otherwise, 2024 could be a challenging year for him.

INFIDELITY TO MERCEDES?

Hamilton has been associated with Mercedes since karting, a span of 13 years. Despite occasional rumors linking him to Ferrari, Hamilton emphasized Mercedes as his "Dream Team." A contract for two years seemed straightforward, with James Allison returning as technical director, replacing Mike Elliot, who designed the problematic W13 and W14. However, Allison did not accommodate Hamilton's request to change his seating position in the W15, a detail that might have weighed heavily.

WHO WILL SUCCEED LEWIS HAMILTON AT MERCEDES IN 2025?

With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri secured by McLaren, Mercedes will focus on developing its young talent, Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The 17-year-old Italian has won the Formula 4 championships in Italy and Germany in 2022 and the highly regarded European version (FRECA) in 2023. Toto Wolff's decision to promote him directly from FRECA to F2 in 2024 suggests that a rookie title could pave the way for him to join Mercedes, alongside George Russell as the leading driver.