The F1 thread

stickyfiddle

Would it be the biggest bombshell move in the history of the sport if true? I can only think of Senna to Williams being close to it. 

I can see Ham maybe wanting an MOU with Ferrari in case Merc have made another dog. But while he did work with Vasseur in GP2, what can Ferrari offer that Merc can't, other than a red suit and a better lunch? 

I honestly think it's negotiating tactics from Ham's part. 

fretmeister

stickyfiddle said:

Aaaand twitter saying Ferrari is about to announce a Hamilton contract for 2025... Buxton and Cinchero both talking about a "bombshell" annoucement this week... 

Can you imagine?!! 

https://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-hamilton-verso-una-clamorosa-last-dance-in-ferrari-nel-2025/10571205/ ;

Page gone now.

stickyfiddle

fretmeister said:

stickyfiddle said:

Aaaand twitter saying Ferrari is about to announce a Hamilton contract for 2025... Buxton and Cinchero both talking about a "bombshell" annoucement this week... 

Can you imagine?!! 

https://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-hamilton-verso-una-clamorosa-last-dance-in-ferrari-nel-2025/10571205/ ;

Page gone now.

Main motorsport.com page has it now. 

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hamilton-set-to-make-shock-switch-to-ferrari-in-f1-2025/10571247/

YellowLedBetterMan

BBC News are reporting it now also.

Is there any confirmation as to which Ferrari driver is losing their seat? Something tells me it will be Sainz although he is arguably the less crashy of the Ferrari pair.

markr76

stickyfiddle said:

Would it be the biggest bombshell move in the history of the sport if true? I can only think of Senna to Williams being close to it. 

I can see Ham maybe wanting an MOU with Ferrari in case Merc have made another dog. But while he did work with Vasseur in GP2, what can Ferrari offer that Merc can't, other than a red suit and a better lunch? 

I honestly think it's negotiating tactics from Ham's part. 

I’ll have you know the food is very nice here at Mercedes! 

markr76

YellowLedBetterMan said:

BBC News are reporting it now also.

Is there any confirmation as to which Ferrari driver is losing their seat? Something tells me it will be Sainz although he is arguably the less crashy of the Ferrari pair.

Leclerc has already signed a contract extension as far as I’m aware 

dazzajl

markr76 said:

stickyfiddle said:

Would it be the biggest bombshell move in the history of the sport if true? I can only think of Senna to Williams being close to it. 

I can see Ham maybe wanting an MOU with Ferrari in case Merc have made another dog. But while he did work with Vasseur in GP2, what can Ferrari offer that Merc can't, other than a red suit and a better lunch? 

I honestly think it's negotiating tactics from Ham's part. 

I’ll have you know the food is very nice here at Mercedes! 

I don’t think anyone from within the team could have made a better comment 

stickyfiddle

markr76 said:

stickyfiddle said:

Would it be the biggest bombshell move in the history of the sport if true? I can only think of Senna to Williams being close to it. 

I can see Ham maybe wanting an MOU with Ferrari in case Merc have made another dog. But while he did work with Vasseur in GP2, what can Ferrari offer that Merc can't, other than a red suit and a better lunch? 

I honestly think it's negotiating tactics from Ham's part. 

I’ll have you know the food is very nice here at Mercedes! 

Yeah but you don’t get to eat it sitting outdoors in Italy! 

RiftAmps

Probably the worst endorsement of Toto and Merc's performance/strategy/future plans. That team is done.

As most of you know, I'm not a Hamilton fan at all BUT a WDC with Ferrari would be an incredible way to close out his career. I'm somewhat excited about the prospect!

Where does Sainz go?

stickyfiddle

Someone on Reddit also suggesting this is just a Liberty dead cat to distract from the Andretti stuff. 

I mean.. you wouldn’t put it past them… 

stickyfiddle

dazzajl

Well well. Genuinely surprised this is a real thing. 

Gut feeling is this might work out better for Merc than Ferrari but it’ll be interesting for sure. 

stickyfiddle

dazzajl said:

Well well. Genuinely surprised this is a real thing. 

Gut feeling is this might work out better for Merc than Ferrari but it’ll be interesting for sure. 

To be fair it is still pure speculation. 

I won't believe anything until Merc or Ferrari or LH announce something. 

dazzajl

stickyfiddle said:

dazzajl said:

Well well. Genuinely surprised this is a real thing. 

Gut feeling is this might work out better for Merc than Ferrari but it’ll be interesting for sure. 

To be fair it is still pure speculation. 

I won't believe anything until Merc or Ferrari or LH announce something. 

It’s all official now. 

euan

Plot twist would be Hamilton knows they have a rocket ship this year, wins the title and goes to Ferrari as WDC to retire. 

stickyfiddle

dazzajl said:

stickyfiddle said:

dazzajl said:

Well well. Genuinely surprised this is a real thing. 

Gut feeling is this might work out better for Merc than Ferrari but it’ll be interesting for sure. 

To be fair it is still pure speculation. 

I won't believe anything until Merc or Ferrari or LH announce something. 

It’s all official now. 

Not till someone puts out a press release it isn't. 

But if it is true, you'd assume Ham would bring Bono & friends? Cos let's be honest Ferrari's current strategy team are never going to win anything. But with the right heads on the pitwall... 

menamestom

It doesn't make sense to me, is this 2025, in another year, when he's just turned 40?

I can't see him rocking up at Ferrari and being instantly faster than Leclerc who will have been there for 6 years.
Even if he is, will Ferrari really have a championship winning car?

Not there's anything wrong with changing teams, but I doubt this will give him a massive chance of glory.

stickyfiddle

I can see a thread of logic, only if Bono & team are coming with. 

- Hamilton will believe he can beat anyone in equal machinery. His stats bear that out. 
- Ferrari has thrown away multiple potential championships due to weak strategy in recent years. 
- Merc strategy is typically phenomenal but they haven't had a quick enough car and clearly haven't got their heads round the current regs as well as others
- Signing for 2025 is hedging a lot of bets: 
     - If Merc build a winner in 2024, he may get #8 this year. 
     - If Merc build a dog again this year, he has a shot at a faster car in 2025 for #8 before the regs change
     - Either way he gets to drive the red car for a last hurrah before retiring. I'd guess he'd sign 2+1 to give a shot at a winning car in 2026, and bow out then if it doesn't work 

But in terms of legacy it'd be a hell of a move. I'll even buy a hat  

The real question is whether @mark76 has a meeting this afternoon...?   

goldtop

euan said:

Plot twist would be Hamilton knows they have a rocket ship this year, wins the title and goes to Ferrari as WDC to retire. 

Ferrari could have a rocket ship every year, and still have no chance of winning due to ... hmmm ... innovative strategy decisions.

WYNIR0

Seems like a bad move from Lewis if true. Ferrari have always been a dream for him and they may build a fast car but reliability, pit work and strategy have been far from a strong point in recent seasons. If I were him and I wanted another WDC I'd be staying at Merc.