Hamilton Confides He Made Decision To Move To Ferrari Based On 'Gut Feeling'

Tuesday, 27 February 2024 at 13:30

Lewis Hamilton suggested that he had to make the decision about the contract with Ferrari "very fast" and based on a "gut feeling."

In a recent interview, Lewis Hamilton reflected on the process of making his decision to drive for Ferrari when he was about to sign the contract.

The seven-time World Champion said the negotiations and the signing were kept strictly secret as he didn't even tell his own parents about it until the day of the announcement.

The Mercedes driver also suggested it was unlike other negotiations, which took place over a couple of weeks, as it was rushed and happened quickly. Speaking as a part of the podcast series "F1: Back at Base," he said:

“"It happened very fast and basically, I have known Fred [Vasseur, Ferrari F1 boss] for a long time."”

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Hamilton also recently confessed that his former team principal from F2 and F3, Fred Vasseur, with whom he achieved great success and maintained a great relationship, played an essential role in his decision.

“"And for me, I was excited for a new year, but not really knowing what the future would hold and not really knowing how long I was going to race for, but knowing that I felt super driven and excited to continue to race."”

The 39-year-old signed a "multi-year" deal with Ferrari, meaning he should be driving for the team until the end of the 2026 season. He added that he had to make the final decision based on a "gut feeling."

“"I mean, the opportunity just popped up, and I was like, 'OK, I've got to think for a second.' I didn't have a lot of time to think, and I had to just go with my gut feeling and I decided to take the opportunity."”

Did the seven-time World Champion make the right decision? Can he bring the success back to Ferrari and achieve his eighth World Championship with the team?

We want to answer these questions now, but we have to wait one more season, which begins this week with the first race at the Bahrain International Circuit.