“After fulfilling my childhood dreams with Mercedes, I feel an incredible joy at the prospect of realizing another childhood dream. Driving a red Ferrari…”
These were the words from 7-time World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton following his shocking signing with Ferrari in his first statements to the press. Indeed, the sports community could hardly believe their eyes upon seeing the rumors confirmed. Because F1 fans were almost as sure as they could be that his contract extension with Mercedes last August was to be his last and that he would spend the final days of his racing career with the German team. Even if he were interviewed at the time, he might have confirmed that. Being among the giants since his rookie year, winning his first championship at a very young age with McLaren, a brief period of pause, overturning records during the turbo-hybrid era with Mercedes, and bidding farewell as a respected veteran… To tell the truth, isn’t that simply a perfect story for anyone who dreams of driving a Formula 1 car one day? No, it’s not. Not if you’re dedicated to being the best in the sport. Especially if you haven’t yet fulfilled your dream of sitting in the red car’s seat. Of course, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that this situation has its own risks. For instance, if Leclerc doesn’t finish the 2024 season as champion, contrary to expectations, about 18 years will have passed since Ferrari’s last drivers’ championship when Hamilton makes his first race for the Reds. Although Ferrari is by far the most successful brand in Formula 1 history, this lengthy period of failure is seen as one of the biggest disappointments in the brand’s history. For Hamilton, too, the situation has not been very bright for the last two seasons following the competitive 2021 season. His advancing age and eroding talents must also be considered. Naturally, the question “What if he fails?” is quite valid. The reason for this is that some former champions, like Hamilton, have been captivated by the allure of Ferrari and inflicted serious damage to their legacies. Like Sebastian Vettel, who said, “Even if they claim otherwise, everyone is a Ferrari fan.” Like Fernando Alonso, who said, “If I could go back in time, my first wish would be to win a championship with Ferrari.” In the most optimistic scenario, an 8th Drivers’ Championship with Ferrari’s name would greatly help place Hamilton’s already near-perfect career at the very top of history. Moreover, the prospect of earning more than three times your annual salary in exchange for fulfilling your childhood dreams is a very significant factor in weighing the risks. Whether the real reason for this transfer is financial or sporting might not be known, but it’s very beneficial to remember how true the words spoken by Enzo Ferrari a century ago still are, even if Ferrari goes through unsuccessful seasons: “Ask any child to draw a car, and surely they will draw it red.”