F1 News & Gossip

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

Sam Cook Thursday 1 February 2024 18:42

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

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.

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 Mercedes Ferrari 2025 season John Elkann

Latest News

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Red Bull BOMBSHELL emerges as F1 star set to sign with RIVAL

1 hour ago

GPFans Recap

Ricciardo tipped for F1 COMEBACK as Ferrari tease huge unveiling - GPFans Recap

Yesterday 23:57

Latest F1 News

Emotional Ferrari test paves way for Hamilton arrival

Yesterday 22:57

F1 Social

Ricciardo prompts FURY after controversial announcement

Yesterday 21:57

Lewis Hamilton

Shock Hamilton contract revelation emerges as champion tipped to sign with RIVAL

Yesterday 20:57

Daniel Ricciardo

Ricciardo F1 RETURN verdict issued as team chief offers comeback twist

Yesterday 19:57

More news

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY