The oldest British driver on the Formula 1 squad faces several problems when it comes to changing teams for the following season
Formula 1 driver lewis hamiltonhas been again linked with possible switch to Ferrari. However, this possible union poses several obstacles that could hinder its realization. To begin with, it is necessary to take into account the numbers. According to Forbes, Hamilton earns a base salary of $55 million a year on his current contract, which translates to roughly £44 million.
Therefore, if the numbers provided by are correct, Hamilton would have to accept a salary reduction to join Ferrari. Hamilton has suggested in the past that it would be a dream to race for Ferrari, but whether he would be willing to take a hit in his wallet to fulfill that dream remains to be seen.
Hamilton’s arrival could cause conflicts with Charles Leclerc
The temptation of incorporate a seven-time world champion and the most famous name on the grid goes without saying, but Ferrari needs to ask at what price. Leclerc and Hamilton are separated by 13 years of age, which clearly indicates that the future is with the former. The five-race winner is already a bit frustrated at not being named the number one driver for good against Carlos Sainz, and those frustrations would be greatly increased if Hamilton moved.
Hamilton could be a great person for Leclerc to learn from, but he wouldn’t be as willing to play the student role as he was when he joined Ferrari and partnered with Vettel. At 38, it’s clear that what motivates Hamilton to continue in the sport is winning. Having come so close in 2021, Hamilton is on a mission to surpass Schumacher and take the record for most World Drivers’ Championships.
Hamilton risks losing his legacy at Mercedes
So the question becomes whether Hamilton has a better chance of doing that at Mercedes or Ferrari. Since the start of 2022, Ferrari have won four races to one from Mercedes and enjoyed three more podium finishes. Still, neither team really came close to challenging for either title. The last reason is the risk that Hamilton runs of losing his legacy at Mercedes.
When Hamilton finally retires, he will be remembered as statistically the most successful pilot of all time. So it should be remembered that most of it was done from the seat of a silver Mercedes. His association with the Silver Arrows goes back even further. This is because when Hamilton first drove in F1, it was in a McLaren powered by Mercedes. Reports earlier in the year suggested that, as part of a new deal, Hamilton was seeking a long-term role within Mercedes that would extend beyond his racing career.
