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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BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – AUGUST 01: George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes F1 WO8 (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images) /

The crazy but possible scenario (continued)

To continue from the previous slide, Charles Leclerc could effectively serve as a Kimi Raikkonen-like replacement for Raikkonen in his first few seasons driving for Ferrari if the team opted to go that route in terms of Leclerc not being a championship contender and Sebastian Vettel being prioritized over him.

Leclerc would them, however, more than likely be a championship contender for most of his career after his first few seasons driving for Ferrari. Passing him up could come back to haunt the Maranello-based team.

Sixthly, Valtteri Bottas needs to win or at least come close to winning the 2018 Formula 1 championship. At the very least, he needs to be at or above Lewis Hamilton’s point total. After an 8th place finish in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, this is unlikely, but anything is possible.

Many people feel that Bottas, who signed only a one-year contract to remain with Mercedes in the 2018 season, is on his way out after the 2018 season as a result of the fact that he has not done nearly as well as Lewis Hamilton has driving for the sport’s top team.

Finally, at least one of 28-year-old Daniel Ricciardo, 21-year-old Esteban Ocon and 20-year-old George Russell need to convince Mercedes that they are worth the gamble of releasing Hamilton in order to sign them.

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