Ferrari F1 supremo masterminded Lewis Hamilton swoop after 'years of meetings'

Lewis Hamilton Ferrari rumours — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

Ferrari F1 supremo masterminded Hamilton swoop after 'years of meetings'

It appears that the seven-time world champion's stunning move may have been in the pipeline for some time

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Thursday 1 February 2024 18:42

Ferrari chairman John Elkann has been credited with making the move for Lewis Hamilton, after having several 'social meetings' with the driver in recent years.

39-year-old Hamilton is on the verge of confirming a deal to join Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season, leaving behind the Mercedes team that have helped him claim six of his seven drivers' world championship titles.

Despite signing a new two-year deal with the Brackley-based team last August, it appears as though that contract included the option to go elsewhere after one year, an option that Hamilton has made use of.

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It will mean a partnership between one of the most successful drivers in the history of the sport, and the most iconic team on the F1 grid, as well as the mouthwatering prospect of a team-mate battle between Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

Lewis Hamilton is set to join Ferrari at the start of the 2025 season

It appears Fred Vasseur has managed to poach the services of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton

It means that Carlos Sainz will be without a seat in F1 from 2025 as it stands

Hamilton's secret Ferrari meetings

Now, it has been alleged by BBC Sport that Hamilton and Elkann have often shared social occasions together.

Hamilton reportedly rejected Elkann's offer of a Ferrari seat before signing his contract with Mercedes, but it looks as though he has now back-tracked on that decision.

"The Hamilton deal has happened quickly," the BBC reported. "Ferrari were in negotiations over a contract extension with Carlos Sainz, whose deal runs out at the end of this season.

"But Ferrari president John Elkann then discovered that Hamilton was a possibility and moved to secure his signature. The two are friends and have met each other socially on a number of occasions in recent years."

Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Mercedes 2025 season John Elkann