Lewis Hamilton driving in Ferrari’s scarlet red. As weird as it may seem, the seven-time champion jumping ship from Mercedes to Ferrari was an actual possibility. That was until Hamilton politely said “No” to its $49 million deal and chose Mercedes instead. With their continuing partnership until 2025 came a paycheck worth a whopping $127 million, one that Hamilton just couldn’t refuse. While Ferrari might’ve held out hope for the 38-year-old joining Maranello, the deal was off even before it was on. F1 pundit Martin Brundle said, “I don’t see any reason why [Hamilton] would jump from Mercedes over to Ferrari, given the experience and history he has with Mercedes Benz.”

Considering how Mercedes has been struggling to regain its form from 2021—and that Ferrari has shown better signs of competing against Red Bull—the Scuderia should’ve found it easier to convince Hamilton. But after a rejection from him, Ferrari has been handed another blow.

Ferrari has nothing to offer Lewis Hamilton

When F1 introduced the 2022 regulation changes, Mercedes dropped the ball after dominating the sport for almost eight years. While the Brackley outfit struggled, Red Bull seized the opportunity, nailed the regulations, and hasn’t stopped progressing. Unlike 2023, Red Bull actually had a little competition last season, not from Mercedes but from Ferrari. Considering this, Ferrari should’ve seemed like a better option for Hamilton, but he decided to have faith in the team he’s called home for 10 years and extend their partnership.

As per a YouTube video by The Race, “If there was ever a time to switch to Ferrari, it would’ve been now. Mercedes struggling, the twilight of Hamilton’s career, and Ferrari beginning yet another restructuring. It would’ve been a cool story and a fun thing to witness, but it also would’ve been pointless. Ferrari realistically can’t offer anything more than Mercedes competitively. Both are underachieving against their expectations and resources, but there is a difference in the quality of the operations.” 

It further explained how, despite struggling to match Red Bull this season, Mercedes has been doing considerably better compared to the Scuderia, making Hamilton believe more in the operations at Brackley. “If you were Hamilton, you would probably have more faith in Mercedes getting it properly together and fighting Red Bull in the next two seasons than Ferrari, which is all that should really matter.” Now that Hamilton has finally put pen to paper, instead of focusing on what could’ve been with Ferrari, he’s setting his sights on what can be with Mercedes.

Read More: Charles Leclerc & Carlos Sainz Snapped Back to Reality as Lewis Hamilton Signs $127,000,000 Deal with Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton revealed he and Mercedes have learned from their mistakes

After Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff assured everyone that Hamilton would be part of Mercedes’ resurrection, the seven-time champion announced his commitment to the Silver Arrows by writing, “Our story isn’t finished,” pointing to certain unfinished business he has with the team. When asked what he and Mercedes hope to achieve in the coming years, Hamilton said, “We’re trying to win more championships. I think the unfinished business is getting us back to the top. It’s getting back and fighting for the world championships.” 

In his statement to Mercedes after the awaited announcement, the 38-year-old said, “We have never been hungrier to win. We have learned from every success but also every setback. We continue to chase our dreams, we continue to fight no matter the challenge, and we will win again. I’m grateful to the team who have supported me both on and off the track. Our story isn’t finished; we are determined to achieve more together and won’t stop until we do.”

Do you think Lewis Hamilton made the right decision rejecting the Ferrari offer without giving it much thought? Or will his devotion to Mercedes pay off and earn him that elusive eighth title?

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