Lewis Hamilton Inked Mercedes Deal While Eyeing Ferrari Move

Lewis Hamilton was already negotiating with Ferrari when he signed his final Mercedes contract in mid-2023, it’s emerged.

On August 31, 2023, the seven-time champion and Toto Wolff sealed a two-year deal with a 2024 exit clause—his last with Mercedes.

Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur told Auto Hebdo when talks with Hamilton, now 40, began: “It was at the 2023 Monaco GP – on May 28, my birthday, to be precise. I immediately understood that the desire was there on his part and that it could happen.”

Hamilton confirmed the tight timeline. “I remember hanging up the phone,” he said, “and I was shaking. I thought ‘Oh my God’. I had just signed with Mercedes. There was a lot to process and my emotions were really strong. I needed to go for a walk to clear my head.”

A Drive To Survive scene from early 2024 captures Wolff mulling Hamilton’s replacement with wife Susie. “You don’t think Max (Verstappen) is an option?” Susie asked. “I haven’t spoken to him,” Wolff replied, “because I promised Lewis I wouldn’t talk to him. But I will have the conversation now.”

Verstappen stayed with Red Bull, and Mercedes ultimately signed Wolff’s 18-year-old protégé Kimi Antonelli for 2025.