The only word to describe it is, WOW!
While Lewis Hamilton was devouring his competition Sunday evening in the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi, there was another piece of this puzzle that was going around for days, even before the race was to be run. This story was put all over the web.
So what was this–rumor or fact?
It might be too early to say, according to many. Still, with Hamilton coming close to tying Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world championships, there might be a tie once his contract expires the following season–that the Briton could follow his fellow countryman Nigel Mansell and drive for Ferrari, most likely to oust Sebastian Vettel, who for the last two seasons has ruined many opportunities to win a fifth world title. Even this season, the German has been beaten by his teammate from Monaco, Charles Leclerc.
Although the rumors have grown mainly because Hamilton himself has not renewed his contract with Mercedes, which could end all stories if it did, it could be a money issue if it continues to spread.
But there is another idea why Hamilton is probably taking his time. Mercedes, owned by the Daimler company, is in the process of laying off close to 100,000 workers. Why? To make way to begin the process of changing from combustion engines to electric power for most of their newer automobiles. Already, Mercedes finished third in the opening Formula E race in Saudi Arabia with Stoffel Vandoorne at the wheel. It proves that already, the Silver Arrows could make a transition to the new series now that the team has won every driver and constructor championship in Formula 1 since hybrid engines were introduced into F1 in 2014.
So what does Toto Wolff, who could replace Chase Carey as the head of Formula 1 in a few years, believes that Hamilton could sign again for Mercedes in a few months, but thinks Hamilton still might drive for Ferrari. “I would say he (Hamilton) has a 75 percent chance to re-sign,” Wolff said. “Probably between January and February. We will set a date to discuss it, but I still have hopes that it will continue. I don’t have full control of it.”
When Lewis (Hamilton) left McLaren for Mercedes, everyone thought it was a mistake, but he proved them wrong. So I won’t make the mistake of underestimating Ferrari’s potential.”But considering the rumors are to increase, Ferrari’s Team Manager Mattia Binotto summed it up well by stating that the deal could happen, but it is too early to predict just now.
“It is far too early to talk about it.” Said Binotto. “Today, the 2019 season is just ending, and we are all focused on 2020, which is the most important thing.
So until something happens, this story could go on until the middle of next season, when three of the top four drivers in the series have to renew their contracts for 2021.
