Hamilton and AMG have become somewhat synonymous in the world of F1 racing. However, as Hamilton’s contract nears it’s end, will AMG’s number one racer continue to represent the chrome star in 2024?”
In a recent interview, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG’s number one racer and seven-time F1 champion dismissed rumors that he would be moving on to team Ferrari, indicating an extension of his contract with Mercedes was “almost there.” Ferrari team principal, Fred Vasseur, also denied any claims Hamilton was in talks with their squad.
What Makes Hamilton Such a Focal Point in the World of F1?
In addition to being a seven-time F1 champion, Hamilton has earned a reputation for his somewhat erratic behavior both on and off the track.
Touting a racing style similar to world-renowned legend, Michael Schumacher (with whom Hamilton shares the same number of championship wins), Hamilton combines a sublime control of throttle and braking with an almost unbelievable amount of grit and determination making for some incredibly exciting races for fans of team AMG.
F1 fans across the world still haven’t forgotten the 2020 British GP where Hamilton, despite running his final lap with a practically destroyed front-left tyre, hit over 140 mph on Silverstone’s Long Hangar Straight. Hamilton went on to shock fans across the globe when he stole the 2020 Turkish GP under horrendous track conditions that causes his teammate, Valtteri Bottas, to spin out a total of six times, resulting in a 14th place finish.
Off the track, Hamilton has been very polarizing figure in regard to both his fashion sense, and outspoken political views. He peacefully protested during the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement and also voiced his support for the defacing/removal of historical statues that didn’t align with today’s political views. On the surface, these seem like minor acts, but in today’s polarizing political climate, Hamilton has quickly become a figure of interest in the world of F1.
In 2022, during his practice for the Canadian GP, Hamilton also shocked reporters (and likely Mercedes AMG) when he remarked on how “undrivable” his Mercedes was, calling it the “worst” he’s ever driven in his entire F1 career. To Mercedes’ credit, F1’s new set of technical regulations (some of the largest changes the sport has seen in decades) have caused a bit of turmoil for it’s AMG F1 team. Nevertheless, Hamilton was not shy about voicing his disdain for his current racer.
Where Did the Rumors of a Shift to Maranello Come From?
Obviously, with Hamilton’s impending status as a free agent, speculation has run wild regarding the seven-time champ’s next move. Hamilton remains more driven (no pun intended) than ever before to lock in a record-setting eighth championship win in 2024, and with a substandard amount of finishes this year, fans are speculating he will seek greener pastures in 2024.
It’s not just fan speculation either; on May 21, 2023, The Daily Mail’s Jonathan McEvoy reported Ferrari was prepared to offer Hamilton a £40 contract for 2024, and that company president, John Elkann, was already in close contact with AMG’s most-notorious racer.
Ferrari team principal, Fred Vasseur, denies this claim but went on to say the idea of landing the legendary driver was “intriguing,” and “any team would love to have Hamilton at one stage.”
With these statements in mind, the possibility of Hamilton driving for Ferrari in 2024 aren’t as far fetched as one would seem.
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