ringo wrote: ↑22 Jun 2024, 23:16
AR3-GP wrote: ↑22 Jun 2024, 19:26
Hamilton's emotions must be quite confused. There's a real chance that Mercedes will jump Ferrari in what remains of this regulation set
You know I considered that possibility, but here is why he wont feel any different:
1. The performance of the mecedes is not the main reason he is leaving.
2. The lack of future for Hamilton and diminishing relevance to the corporate strategy at Mercedes is the main reason he is leaving.
3. Ferrari is a new challenge, a new team, and more recognition for his status as a World Champion.
4. Ferrari has a long time horizon for Hamilton's career.
All in all, even if Mercedes are the better car end of season, it cannot benefit Hamilton if we consider his career as a whole.
Nah, he went to Ferrari to win a championship. The end. The other factors all fall second to that. The money. The status. The long term. He wants the 8th. Ask him if he would rather 400 million or an 8th. He would take the 8th. All decisions start from there, and at end of last year, Ferrari did seem a much better car chance to win an 8th, and Ferrari was willing to bend over and pay him far more than he’s worth at this point in his career. If Merc end up being faster than Ferrari next year and they challenge for the wdc, nobody can make a case he wouldn’t regret his choice. He wouldn’t be a racer if he didn’t. 400 million doesn’t replace an 8th. If Merc challenge for wins next year, and bring a more powerful power unit than Ferrari in 2026 (likely), he will consider it the worst decision of his racing career. And honestly, it would be. He didn’t need to change teams. Had Merc still been charging for wins on merit he would have done whatever to stay in a winning car because he’s loyal to winning, and his motivation is fine when he can challenge for wins. He changed because he figured Merc was doomed, and he’s not loyal to a team that finishes first of the losers. Toto knew Lewis’ real worth and approx racing years left, and so wouldn’t pay him more, nor sign him long term. He’s too polarizing to be a good manufacture rep anyway. Certainly there’s no motivation to be found in the space he was in this last winter, but it seems the Red Bull fortunes are dramatically changing, and he should have remained loyal to the team that brought him all those wdc’s. Heck, if Merc bring a barnstormer power unit in 2026, he may well have been challenging for a 9th in 2027.
Watching F1 since 1986.