“Too Long to Be Satisfied”: How Excessive F1 Demands Denied Lewis Hamilton a Seat at Ferrari in 2017 & 2019

Imagine Lewis Hamilton in red. Imagine the Tifosi cheering for him in Italy. You would say this story is straight out of the multiverse, but Italian Journalist Carlo Vanzini has revealed Ferrari approached the seven-time world champion two separate times. Moreover, the rumors surrounding Hamilton to Ferrari are certainly not new.

His name has been linked to a move to the Maranello outfit for over a decade now. However, it could come as a shock that he was close to joining the Prancing Horse recently.

The details behind Lewis Hamilton almost joining Ferrari

Carlo Vanzini is one of the reputed commentators for Sky Italy. He revealed Hamilton came close to joining Ferrari in 2017 and 2019. However, the Brit came in with a set of demands, and with Vettel at the helm, the move ultimately did not materialize.

“Twice, in 2017 and 2019. Hamilton asked for 50 million, and this was perhaps the least of the problems. But he also requested a series of people who wanted with him in Maranello too long to be satisfied.”

“Among other things, that was a special moment, because Ferrari had Vettel and it was not easy to give up a four-time world champion. Lewis has therefore chosen to move the Mercedes project for life, and the results have been seen,” he said.

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Hamilton eventually stayed at Mercedes and still continues to go strong. However, one could argue whether he would have matched Michael Schumacher’s record if he moved to Ferrari.

Vanzini rules out Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in the coming years

Vanzini certainly believes the Billion dollar man could have brought success to Ferrari. The reds have been longing for a title, and the move could have sent shivers down the spine of the rest of the grid. However, the Italian also believes the 37-year-old will remain with Mercedes.

He added, “Because I believe that, with riders reversed, at least one of the two world championships between 2017 and 2018 would have ended in Maranello. At this point it is very complicated, we will probably never see it, but nothing changes.”

“Senna said that a great driver becomes such either by driving for Ferrari, or by beating Ferrari. Both Ayrton and Lewis have completed the second option.”

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If the Briton had signed for Ferrari, the magnitude of the move would have been stunning, without a doubt. We would like to hear your thoughts on what could have happened if Hamilton donned the red racing suit.