Future star driver for Ferrari next year, Lewis Hamilton will not be able to poach anyone from Mercedes. Michael Schumacher brought his loved ones over once he arrived at the Scuderia.
Co-record holder of F1 world championship titles tied with Michael Schumacher (7), Lewis Hamilton will try to further write his legend at Ferrari, with whom the “Red Baron” won five of his coronations. The 39-year-old British driver has signed up with the Scuderia for next year, in order to form a fiery tandem with Charles Leclerc. They will probably be led by Frédéric Vasseur, the current main team from the Italian team.
One thing is certain, Hamilton will not come to Ferrari with his loyal colleagues from Mercedes. He has in fact signed a clause which prohibits him from poaching employees of the “Silver Arrows”. A non-aggression pact inspired directly by the Schumacher era at Ferrari, the German driver having attracted his two bosses from Benetton to build his track record.
Jean Todt changes everything
“Schumi” was world champion in 94 and 95 before seeing Ferrari roll out the red carpet for him in 96. John Barnard was then the brains of the Scuderia, designing the models for Formula 1, but after Damon’s coronation Hill with Williams in 96, Jean Todt then turned everything upside down by removing Barnard to make way for Rory Byrne as chief designer and Ross Brawn as technical director, from Benetton.
Returning to title contention in ’97 (driving John Barnard’s final Ferrari), Schumacher went on to become the idol of an entire sport in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Lewis Hamilton will completely change his world by arriving at Ferrari, but will also have the significant advantage of knowing by heart how Toto Wolff and the entire Mercedes team work…
