Will Lewis Hamilton Be Able to Replicate Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami Heroics if He Decides to Join Struggling Ferrari?

Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami turned out to be a very successful signing for the MLS team. Whilst the team is still dead last in the MLS eastern conference table, they’ve managed to reach the quarter-final for the league cup. Amid interest from Ferrari’s side toward signing Lewis Hamilton, we wonder if the 7X champion will be able to replicate Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami heroics at the Maranello stable. 

Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes contract is still hanging in the balance. Toto Wolff earlier suggested that only the finer details of the contract are left. However, the Mercedes CEO recently advised that he’s doing everything in his capacity to keep Hamilton at Mercedes. Amid all this, the speculations of a move to Ferrari have risen once again. The Briton had earlier put the Ferrari move rumors to bed earlier in the season. 

Recent speculation reveals interest from Ferrari‘s side to sign Lewis Hamilton once again. It’s always a hot topic when a leading sporting personality decides to leave a massive organization and move toward an unknown. The same was the case when Lionel Messi decided to leave PSG and make a move to Inter Miami in the MLS. The football GOAT has however already established a place in the MLS with instant success. 

The question that now arises is whether Lewis Hamilton will be able to replicate similar success at Ferrari who haven’t won a championship in a decade and a half. Let’s dive deeper into all the details about Hamilton’s possible future. 

Ferrari’s $102 million offer to Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes hasn’t been able to provide a competitive car to Lewis Hamilton. The Briton is already 38 years old and isn’t getting any younger. A move to Ferrari has been speculated as one last hurrah for Hamilton before retiring from F1. According to Si.com, Mail Sport suggested that John Elkann has been in touch with Lewis Hamilton and has allegedly offered the Briton a contract worth around $50 million to partner with Charles Leclerc.

However, Peter Windsor believes the amount is too less for Hamilton as he suggested a contract worth at least $102 Million for the Briton to move away from Mercedes. Peter Windsor said “Forty [Million Pounds]? I would say about 80 [Million Pounds] would be more logical. If Lewis is going to Ferrari, it’s such a big unknown in terms of how competitive that car would be that, if I was Lewis, I wouldn’t go for less than 80 [Million Pounds].” 

Reports of Frederic Vasseur talking to Hamilton and offering him a Ferrari deal have also been speculated in recent times. But what about Hamilton’s current contract and what he’s demanding of Mercedes?

Lewis Hamilton’s current $35 Million-a year contract with Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton’s current contract with Mercedes will end this year. The 7X Champion is believed to earn $35 Million for 2023 as per his contract. However, Hamilton is pushing for a new contract with Mercedes as well which will see him sign a 10-year deal with the Brackley-based stable. However, speculations are that Toto Wolff and Co. aren’t comfortable with Hamilton’s demands.

Read More: Amid Lewis Hamilton’s Growing Demands, Mercedes Claimed to Be “Exhausted” by Toto Wolff’s Ex-Confidant

The Briton is asking for a 10-year deal which is divided into a 2+8 year contract. Hamilton will act as a racing driver for 2 years and then an Ambassador for the team for the following 8 years. The Briton is believed to be demanding $25 million a year for the 10-year deal. It is yet to be seen what the outcome will be Hamilton’s demand. 

The $60 Million deal with Lionel Messi changed Inter Miami’s fortune in the Leagues cup

Many fans were critical of the fact that Lionel Messi decided to make a move to the MLS. However, in just 4 appearances, Lionel Messi has become the top scorer for Inter Miami with 7 goals to his name. The Argentinian’s League Cup performance at the Round of 16 match against FC Dallas helped his team reach the Quarterfinals of the Cup.

Lionel Messi scored a brace against FC Dallas which included an iconic Messi curling Free Kick in the 85th minute of the match. This free kick equaled the score 4-4 which was followed by Inter Miami winning the penalty shootout in which Messi scored again. Messi’s Inter Miami contract is said to be worth $60 Million a year. While Messi would have earned significantly more money elsewhere, the GOAT decided to join the MLS and help turn things around for Inter Miami.

Will Lewis Hamilton be the Lionel Messi for Ferrari?

Coming back to where we started the analysis. Will Lewis Hamilton be able to turn around the fortunes of Ferrari just like Lionel Messi is doing for Inter Miami? Well, it’s not as simple as it may seem. Messi fit very well into the system and was joined by his fellow teammate Jordi Alba at Inter Miami. The connection between the two was seen at the FC Dallas game where Messi and Alba linked to assist Benjamin Cremaschi. 

Eddie Jordan and Peter Windsor have suggested how Michael Schumacher’s contribution to turning Ferrari around was massive. The German brought multiple personnel with him when he joined Ferrari and also took a keen interest in personal matters for the team members as he deeply cared for them. We already know that the culture at Ferrari is different from what it is at other teams and the Briton must’ve realized that. 

Lewis Hamilton would have to replicate something of that sort if he wants to succeed at Ferrari. But yes, with the experience that Hamilton has, it isn’t out of the question that he will get Ferrari back to winning ways. What do you think? Will Lewis Hamilton make a move to Ferrari?

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