Formula 1: The one crazy scenario that could send Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari

By Asher Fair | Apr 3, 2018

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Top three qualifiers Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP (centre) Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and Ferrari (right) and Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Ferrari (left) pose for a photo in parc ferme after qualifying for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 24, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images) /

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 25: Kimi Raikkonen of Finland driving the (7) Scuderia Ferrari SF71H (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /

The crazy but possible scenario

If Lewis Hamilton is to drive for Ferrari before his Formula 1 career comes to a close, here’s how it would likely happen. First of all, Ferrari would need to remain extremely competitive. In recent years, they have gained tons of competitiveness back to the point where they are championship contenders, so this should not be an issue.

Secondly, Ferrari finally need to part ways with Kimi Raikkonen, who is driving for the team on his third consecutive one-year deal. This will likely happen after the 2018 season, but it is not a guarantee.

Thirdly, the question is whether or not Ferrari would sign another driver as good as Sebastian Vettel to replace Raikkonen or if they would sign a drive like Raikkonen who Vettel would be prioritized over for championship purposes. Signing Hamilton would mean that they would need to commit to not prioritizing a driver in the championship hunt.

Fourthly, Ferrari would need to pass up the opportunity to sign 20-year-old Charles Leclerc as a potential replacement candidate for Raikkonen in the 2019 season. In fact, Leclerc, who is currently in his first Formula 1 season driving for Alfa Romeo Sauber, is widely rumored to be Ferrari’s second driver in the 2019 season already. This was the case even before he made his Formula 1 debut in the Australian Grand Prix.

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