Hamilton to Ferrari confirmed

That's exactly the way I see it. Totally wrong for Ferrari, and very destabilisating for the team.
Ferrari has to grow its own talents (like it does with Leclerc), and stop poaching middle-aged ex-WDC winners on the decline.
I think Charles Leclerc's loyalty will be severely tested by this move, and I don't see any good coming out of it.
There was a watershed at Abu Dhabi 2021, and I don't expect Hamilton to win another GP, even less a title.
I hope I am wrong.

 

i wanna see the Lego minifig, dammit

you know it's ready to go ...

 

Beating Leclerc shouldn't be too difficult.

 

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God I feel sick to my stomach

I hope they do well this year because it will be my last one as their fan. After an entire lifetime of being a tifoso this is the last straw for me.

I can’t support that ass clown in any way shape or form.

 

You think so ? I don't. In pure speed, Leclerc should be the faster now.
Mind you, they say that "old age and treachery will always get the better of youth and exuberance".

 

It could very well go the way of Russell/Hamilton with Leclerc having an edge over one lap at times and Lewis looking strong in race trim. Of course if Ferrari pronounces a championship challenger there will be tension, but if management play it straight I don't see this pairing devolving into open warfare. Leclerc isn't the type to seek out conflict and Lewis has experience in facing a hungry, younger driver.

 

French GP comes to mind. Leclerc under real WDC pressure will cave. Just as he did with Max.

If there is not much competition Leclerc has the speed to win it (e.g. like Vettel or Damon Hill driving away from the front). But in a duel with RB or Hamilton he won't make it.

 

It could end all in disaster, another disappointing epoch, or Ham has the potential for getting the 8th word championship under the prancing horse.

That would shut up all the doubters wouldn't it?

Life you got one shot, why not take it.

 

News flash:
Seven time WDC's are not happy with THIRD place. Look it up...

See also:
Larry Bird
Tom Brady
Tiger Woods
Michael Jordan
Etc.

 

It's true, this could all end in disaster. No denying it.

It could also potentially cap Hamilton's career like no other.

2025 is going to be a hell of a year.

 

No, it would not shut up the doubters (were LH to win #8 in a Ferrari)
Their response would be (pick one or all or come up with your own)
1. The car was so good anyone could win in it.
2. LH is lucky that Red Bull stubbed it's toe.
3. LH is just plain lucky, and has that super secret "fairy dust" that only certain FC members know about.
4. F1 needed him to win his 8th so they screwed everyone else
5. Etc.

 

It would be the car, not the driver.

 

I might have missed this in prior pages, but I wonder if Lewis is looking at the opportunity to grow his brand/fashion/clothing. He's historically taken a keen interest in lifestyle, Ferrari clearly has the same desire (i know you all get the emails with the crazy clothes too). Seems like a good match post career for LH.

 

I find it sad your Hamilton hate trumps your Ferrari passion.
I think you'll adjust in time - both parties are going into it with hope, mutual respect and enthusiasm - and not just because one or both had no other options.
While sure it could end up in tears and disappointment, both may become greater for it.

 

HahHa so true!!!

 

Worse analogy ever. Larry Bird was loyal to the Celtics his entire career. Michael Jordan worked his way from a loser to a champion and ended on top. He then came out of a retirement to help his own team which had no shot of winning. Tom Brady won over and over with the Pats and signed with a team nobody thought would win a Superbowl and he got it done. Tiger Woods does not play a team sport. Lewis claimed he was devoted to working back up to the top with Mercedes, but obviously that wasn't true. You could compare him to Lebron though, always jumping ship to a team he feels should win.

But with the point you are making, Lewis just left the 2nd best car and the second best team that gave him the majority of his success to go to Ferrari who is worse and going in the wrong direction. Mercedes literally redesigned their 2024 challenger to suit Lewis' needs. On paper it doesn't make sense, which is why I think Lewis knows something that the rest of us doesn't.

 

Don't insult hate. LH's superficial posturing is not worthy of hate.

 

https://tenor.com/view/right-dr-evil-gif-13656700

 

Well, it’s a walk and chew gum sort of thing. Is Jordan great cuz he wore Air Nike or is Air Jordan great because of Jordan?

to me I don’t care how much Ferrari whores it’s brand to, as long as they keep making (and winning) things like the 296 GT3 and 499M.

 

We haven't heard anything from Toto Wolff yet. That should be an interesting PR exercise to come.
How will he explain his star driver Hamilton jumping ship before season start, just after they had (apparently) come to terms on a new contract that should tie them up until 2028?

 

Good points which is why Lewis is setting himself and Ferrari up for 2026 when the next formula change takes place and everyone is back to a somewhat level playing field.

 

Has anyone mentioned how excited Toto and crew are about Kimi Antonelli? Kid walked it in F4 and FRECA in first two years out of karts, skipping F3 for F2 this season with Prema, and targeting F1 in, erm... 2025! And 22 years younger than Lewis...

 

His move to Mercedes from McLaren didn't seem to make sense at the time it was announced either. The fact that he wants to be at Ferrari from 2025 makes me hopeful the car will be competitive in 2025 or 2026.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

On the "F1 2026 thread, post #117." He's getting alot of talk on social media.