[Thalla]

Originally Posted by V0id2003

Guys what do you think , will Alonso approach Mercedes or is he completely embedded in the Aston Martin project.

I think in 2025, Leclerc will definitely have the advantage over 1 Lap but Lewis will be there over a race distance.

Also where does Sainz go now?! His market value has definitely gone up after that sensational win in Singapore and Audi seems to be interested in him , however its a gamble going for a sauber chassis that was mediocre last year.

This year is going to be very awkward at merc and ferrari

I don't think we are going to see Alonso at Mercedes. The most likely driver to go to Mercedes at the moment is Alex Albon.

[Hatari]

I feel bad for Haas. Absolutely no one talking about their new car launch!

What a bombshell of a story! Among the most unexpected of switches in F1 history (simply because he had signed a new contract 5 months ago).
This one is for F1, its fans & media to enjoy!

Let me attempt to cover all 3 - Mercedes, Ferrari & Lewis.

Ferrari & the Tifosi
Ferrari have been desperate to re energise the Tifosi. There have been decades of unsuccessful attempts at winning a Championship resulting in mass disappointment all over Italy, an annual affair.

This is a great move, no risk all gain, to get the most successful driver in F1 (finally, after years of trying, John Elkann got his man). It gives hope to the Tifosi that good things may well and truly come in the next couple of years, simply because Lewis MUST have seen something in Ferrari to shift! Could it be the new 2026 PU regs!? He saw it at Mercedes before their dominance! Why not this time again!? It buys them 2 years of 'benefit of doubt' from the constant attacks of the Italian media. A great hook for current and potential sponsors.

Lower risk intra team dynamics - Lewis is not at his prime in terms of raw speed (George did get the better of him most of the time in Qualifying). Therefore, he should not threaten Charles as much as he would have in the past, lowering chances of big flare offs. Fred Vasseur had been Lewis's team boss in 2006 and knows him well, would be in a good position to manage it all.


Lewis Hamilton
He was fading from the limelight, not in the news as much as Max & Red Bull, even Alonso stealing the news bytes with the early season Aston success and Mclaren with their performance in the 2nd half of the season.

He needed something to remind everyone that he is the most successful F1 driver of all time. He can still create a ripple or two! Any change would cause a stir. What bigger than Ferrari!? Bold. Unexpected! Time to leave the faithful wife for a mistress

He would have taken note of the many losses of key technical staff over the years. Although the revered Technical head James Allison is back at the helm, Lewis would have felt that this is the weakest team compared to the dominant years. How were they going to produce Championship winning car, given the failures of the past 2 years?

In addition, Lewis has been quite vocal of Mercedes technical bosses not taking his feedback with regard to the choices that were made in terms of car design.

To top it all, this would make him the highest paid driver in F1 again.

In the end, with both Ferrari and Mercedes being beaten by Red Bull, it was more Why not than Why.

Mercedes
This a significant loss in the short term, having already seen the departures of key senior level management - Andy Cowell (PU boss), Mike Elliot (Chief Technical Officer), Eric Blandin (Chief of Aero to Aston Martin), James Vowles (Chief of Strategy to Williams) and the latest being Loic Serra (Head of Vehicle Dynamics to Ferrari) etc.

Having said that, offering Lewis a 2 year deal with exit clauses for both made this deal a contract of convenience. Mercedes Board did not authorise a 3 year deal.

It will be interesting now to see how they cope with losing Lewis. This does leave them weaker than they have been in the past decade. Their rivals are stronger than ever - Red Bull far ahead and McLaren, Ferrari and Aston nipping close behind.
Rumours state Aston Martin are trying to poach James Allison!

Mercedes need to regroup and make the big calls to ensure they have the team in place to be serious challengers again.

But now to the million dollar questions. Who are they lining up as a replacement and what made him change his mind 5 months after signing a new 2 year deal!?

To the first question - they have to chase Alonso first, a slot in like for like replacement - par excellence and admired by Toto. It will be a big statement in itself.
If they cant get him - then Sainz and finally Albon if they cant sign the younger Spaniard.

Originally Posted by deovrat

Does anyone know if the driver salaries are counted under the budget cap that every team has to work under? Or does individual sponsorship that a driver brings, can offset their salary?

Driver salaries, top 3 highest paid staff members, legal, travel, marketing etc all excluded from the cost cap.

[mjk24]

One of Two possible outcomes to this move:

1. It's a purely money based move, both for Lewis & Ferrari.

For Lewis, with the rumored figures being reported, it would make him the highest paid driver on the grid. Ferrari also agreed to support all his demands regarding his charitable vision for the future after F1, something that Mercedes had declined to earlier.
In short, Ferrari is a glorified retirement home for Mr. Lewis.

For Ferrari, the mere news of Lewis signing for them added 6 Billion Euro's to their market cap. And for John Elkann, Chairman & part owner of Ferrari, it's a matter of prestige. Another feather in his cap to sign one of the great's into his team,
Just like he orchestrated Ronaldo's signing for Juventus, another team owned by John Elkann.


2. Lewis is hungry as every and Ferrari have shown him solid data that affirms they will be the ones to beat come the 2026 regulations change (Like Mercedes did at the dawn of the Hybrid Era).

2025 will be the year to warm up and get his affairs in order within the team (Like his first season with Mercedes in 2013).

2026 will be Ferrari's first title since 2007 courtesy Lewis, which would be his record breaking 8th - cementing himself as the GOAT once for all.

Either ways, F1 wins!

[HondaSport]

Originally Posted by RahulNagaraj

According to a media report, 7-time Formula 1 World Driver's Champion, Lewis Hamilton will be moving to Ferrari for the 2025 season.
...

What happens to Carlos Sainz? A good driver, hope he finds a seat for 2025.

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by HondaSport

What happens to Carlos Sainz? A good driver, hope he finds a seat for 2025.

Will most likely head to Stake in 2025 and thereafter Audi from 2026 as the lead driver alongside Bottas. Zhou will likely be given the boot.

[SiddharthR]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Will most likely head to Stake in 2025 and thereafter Audi from 2026 as the lead driver alongside Bottas. Zhou will likely be given the boot.

I'm really skeptical of the Audi rumors. I doubt any team will sign a driver 3 years in advance, given the kind of driver and talent changes that happen in F1.

I think Mercedes is the best real option available with Sainz, possibly Red Bull might be interested as well. Of the two options, I really hope he doesn't go back to Red Bull

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by SiddharthR

I'm really skeptical of the Audi rumors. I doubt any team will sign a driver 3 years in advance, given the kind of driver and talent changes that happen in F1.

I think Mercedes is the best real option available with Sainz, possibly Red Bull might be interested as well. Of the two options, I really hope he doesn't go back to Red Bull

Andreas Steidl the head of Mclaren F1 was picked up by Audi in 2021/22 to begin building the team to be ready for 2026.

Audi is very serious. Just like they were in Dakar. They have quit every other Motorsport to focus solely on F1. They will sign up any big name long term they can get their hands on. The VW group is not short on money and will throw everything they can at this sport.

They do not have an F1 focused young drivers program like most other teams yet.

[jomyboy]

Originally Posted by mjk24

For Ferrari, the mere news of Lewis signing for them added 6 Billion Euro's to their market cap. [/b]

That is a WhatsApp forward created by the darling Hamilton fans trying to prove Lewis has still got it. Ferrari should have gone all out for Verstappen who is like the next best thing since Schumacher.

[ashwin.terminat]

Originally Posted by jomyboy

Ferrari should have gone all out for Verstappen who is like the next best thing since Schumacher.

Except - Verstappen has a contract to stay in Red Bull upto 2028 (Link). Plus, with the car advantage they have right now, Max has no reason to leave. The synergy in RBR is leagues above Ferrari is at the moment.

That said, I am conflicted about this move. As a Ferrari fan, I desperately want them to win a Driver's Championship. But I also do not want Michael's record of 7 World Championships to be eclipsed.

[mjk24]

Originally Posted by jomyboy

That is a WhatsApp forward created by the darling Hamilton fans trying to prove Lewis has still got it. Ferrari should have gone all out for Verstappen who is like the next best thing since Schumacher.

WhatsApp forward? The blatant ignorance of some Lewis haters

It wouldn't take you more than 30 seconds to Google the actual jump in their stock prices since the announcement:



And Max isn't even in the picture, contract wise.

[jomyboy]

Originally Posted by mjk24

WhatsApp forward? The blatant ignorance of some Lewis haters

It wouldn't take you more than 30 seconds to Google the actual jump in their stock prices since the announcement:

Attachment 2569445

And Max isn't even in the picture, contract wise.

It's got to do with Ferrari posting thier annual results, but yes people will now buy Ferrari cars because Lewis is driving one. I get it, thanks

[rx100]

Originally Posted by mjk24

WhatsApp forward? The blatant ignorance of some Lewis haters

It has nothing to do with Lewis joining red. Shares increased as Ferrari reported better than anticipated annual results.

https://www.marketwatch.com/amp/stor...stors-11e56e37

[jomyboy]

Originally Posted by ashwin.terminat

Except - Verstappen has a contract to stay in Red Bull upto 2028 (Link). Plus, with the car advantage they have right now, Max has no reason to leave. The synergy in RBR is leagues above Ferrari is at the moment.

I hope Verstappen is of the same mould as Schumacher rather than Hamilton where he just doesn't want to cling onto the fastest car and team combination just to create records, but would rather take it upon himself to take it as a challenge to win with Ferrari when they are down and out. Everybody can be bought out and I am sure there will be clauses to get out of the Red Bull when Verstappen so desires.

[mjk24]

Originally Posted by rx100

It has nothing to do with Lewis joining red. Shares increased as Ferrari reported better than anticipated annual results.

https://www.marketwatch.com/amp/stor...stors-11e56e37

It’s a blend of financials and Lewis. The stock market operates on both, statistics and sentiment.
He may not have single handedly contributed to the increase but his brand and impact as a cultural icon cannot be denied, this is visible even at Mercedes.

[Hatari]

Originally Posted by mjk24

Attachment 2569445

It was similar last year as well when they announced results that were better than expectation.