Why Hamilton can’t get a Ferrari 2025 lead like F1 rivals can

Several drivers will start preparations early with their new Formula 1 teams during the test in Abu Dhabi in December, but not Lewis Hamilton with Ferrari.

The seven-time F1 world champion will leave Mercedes at the end of 2024, having signed a shock multi-year Ferrari deal before the current season even started.

It is the biggest move of all the changes in the 2025 driver line-up and made for a hectic driver market this year.

However, due to his longevity at Mercedes and his unique profile, Hamilton will have to wait longer than most drivers to join his new team, rather than face an early contract break.

Current drivers are generally allowed to participate in post-season testing in Abu Dhabi with the team they join for the following season, although there are occasional exceptions.

Hamilton’s Ferrari predecessor Carlos Sainz will drive for Williams in the test and Alpine will field Esteban Ocon for his first Haas run. It is understood that Nico Hülkenberg has been given permission by Haas to also join Sauber.

“I wanted to thank you for the cooperation,” said Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur about Sainz being allowed to drive for Williams.

“I didn’t want to block him or anything. He has done very well for us this season, very professionally. It would have been easy not to give up but not have such a professional attitude.

“The best way to thank Carlos was to give him the test with Williams.”

Dispensation is usually granted

This has also been allowed in the past. Mercedes previously let Valtteri Bottas drive with Sauber at the end of 2021. Another example is when Aston Martin circumvented commercial restrictions by allowing Fernando Alonso to drive an undelivered car (pictured above) at the end of 2022 – the same year McLaren was allowed to allow Oscar Piastri to drive during testing, despite his acrimonious departure from Alpine.

In the modern era, with limited post-season testing, drivers were sometimes unable to drive for legal reasons.

In 2020, Sainz (switch from McLaren to Ferrari), Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari to Racing Point/Aston Martin) and Daniel Ricciardo (Renault to McLaren) could not drive, but that is because the test was technically exclusive to young drivers, despite Alonso ( prior to his return the following season), Robert Kubica and Sebastien Buemi were cleared to participate.

And this year, Ollie Bearman will not be eligible for the Haas ‘young driver’ car after making his third F1 start in Brazil.

But Hamilton will be the exception among drivers switching teams in 2025, a rare case in the wider recent history of post-season testing – although not unprecedented.

Ricciardo was blocked by Red Bull from joining Renault prior to his move in 2019, which was no surprise given the toxic relationship between the two organizations and the extent to which Ricciardo had upset Red Bull with his decision to switch .

Moving on, Red Bull also denied Vettel the chance to test with Ferrari at the end of 2014, which Vettel claimed was a U-turn after initially being cleared to do so.

FAREWELL ROUND

A denial by Hamilton was always likely due to his complex contractual arrangements and the fact that Mercedes and Ferrari are rivals.

Hamilton has made arrangements with Mercedes and this autumn it was reported that he would embark on a whirlwind farewell tour of Mercedes’ key locations: the team and engine factories in Britain, Mercedes’ headquarters in Germany and also long-time partner Petronas. in Malaysia.

Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff said: “We have contractual agreements with sponsors, we are saying goodbye to Lewis.

“There are many activities planned. He and I, we talked about it briefly, and he said, ‘I don’t think that’s going to work,’ and I said, ‘Yeah, I don’t think it’s going to work.’

“I don’t think Fred is particularly sad.”

FERRARI DID NOT ASK

Although it was briefly discussed between Hamilton and Mercedes, Ferrari did not directly ask for Hamilton to drive during the test.

Vasseur says this is because Hamilton has an existing contract, but it could also reflect the shocking nature of the way things came to Hamilton last winter and the fact that the two teams are direct competitors – as Wolff said: “It may also be a difference if you go to Williams” in reference to Ferrari letting Sainz test for his new team.

When Wolff was asked during the press conference in Las Vegas on Thursday evening whether he was indeed “sad” or not, Vasseur replied: “No, but there is a contract that we have to respect.

“Just because we do something for Carlos doesn’t mean he (Wolff) has to do the same.

“Like Toto said, I didn’t ask Toto.”

WHEN HAMILTON’S FIRST FERRARI TEST WILL HAPPEN

As a result, Hamilton will drive a Ferrari F1 car for the first time next year – although he is unlikely to wait until pre-season testing as Ferrari has a prolific program with older cars, so it is likely that Hamilton will drive a Ferrari will drive from the current era. at Fiorano to embed himself in the team.

WHAT IS THE HAMILTON/MERCEDES RELATIONSHIP?

The fact that Hamilton is effectively denied an early switch to Ferrari does not indicate a problematic departure from Mercedes.

Speaking in Las Vegas, Wolff said he is “quite proud of what we have accomplished to maintain the professional relationship that we have” because “we knew it would never be easy.”

There has been speculation about the quality of Hamilton’s relationship with the team in the wake of comments he made in Brazil that prompted suggestions he could retire early, as well as the revelation of comments made by Wolff to a Mercedes insider book on Hamilton’s departure is ultimately a good thing for the team because of the “shelf life” people have.

Hamilton admitted in Vegas that he felt “I didn’t really want to come back after that weekend” in Brazil, but said that was just his reaction to a bad race at the time. He also reiterated his desire to leave Mercedes on good terms.

“It’s frustrating when you have a season like that, which I’m pretty sure I won’t have again, or at least I’ll work on not having again,” Hamilton said.

“It wasn’t a nice feeling at the time.

“I’m here, I’m strong and I’m going to give absolutely everything for the last races.”

Asked if he had a point to prove in the last three races after Wolff’s comments emerged, Hamilton said he did not consider that to include the “many microaggressions” he has experienced from others outside Mercedes.

“I’m still here, still fighting and keep pushing,” he said.

“(It’s) a team that I really still love even though I’m leaving.

“I want to make sure I give them the best I can in the next races.

“If they deliver a car that wants to stay on track, then hopefully we will get a better result.”