The 2019 Formula One Champion, Lewis Hamilton, has been confirmed to be negotiating with Ferrari. This information comes directly from the Italian Motorsports Organization, who stated that their Chief Executive Officer met with the champion over lunch. The two of them had conversations regarding the potential of Hamilton joining, with Louis Carey Camilleri flattered with the prospect of his arrival. However, the team noted that these conversations are premature and that they’re looking into multiple options for the 2021 Season.
Lewis Hamilton hasn’t confirmed or denied that he has this meeting. However, Hamilton did specify that the lunch was a social gathering amongst multiple individuals in the F1 atmosphere. F1 Analysts believe that these conversations are more than premature, though and that Hamilton switching over is almost guaranteed. Ferrari has displayed their desire to have a veteran driver with a younger teammate. Removing Sebastian Vettel for Lewis Hamilton and keeping on Charles Leclerc would give the Italian Bulls a powerful alliance that could see significant championship points.
The Future
Hamilton has expressed multiple times that he will wait until Toto Wolff determines his fate with the team. However, Wolff has been privately offered the Formula One Chief Executive Role in 2021. Wolff leaving Mercedes AMG would immediately guarantee Hamilton’s arrival to Ferrari. Here, he would also have a running chance to defeat Michael Schumacher’s championship reign of seven titles. Hamilton receiving his eighth title under Ferrari would guarantee them the golden team once again in Formula One.
That being said, it leaves many wondering where Sebastian Vettel will drive for the 2021 Season. It’s known that his contract with the team ends after 2020 and that his working relationship with Charles Leclerc has been unsatisfactory. Subsequently, it’s more than likely that Vettel is losing his seat regardless of Hamilton’s position. Analysts suspect that Vettel will follow in the footstep of his former teammate Raikkonen, joining Alfa Romeo for his remaining seasons in F1. That would make it impossible for Vettel to gain a fifth championship title.
Charles Leclerc hasn’t officially been named the number one driver for Ferrari. Genuine fans of the sport know that behind closed doors, this is precisely Leclerc’s position with the Italian Bulls. He has more pole qualifying laps, first position podium placements, and fastest laps than Vettel. He is also the primary driver for Ferrari to win at Monza in decades, guarantying his position with the team for years to come.