Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari switch began years ago with "whisper" from dad Anthony

01 February 2024 , 20:00

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Lewis Hamilton and his father Anthony (Image: Getty Images Sport)

Lewis Hamilton is set to join Ferrari next year, with the seven-time world champion ending what will be an 11-year association with Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season.

Ferrari have long been linked with Hamilton and the 39-year-old's father Anthony, who previously worked as his son's manager, reportedly claimed back in 2007 that his son would end up joining them one day.

According to the Daily Mail, Anthony said: "One day. I see Lewis driving for Ferrari one day. That's where he will end up before he is finished." The report describes Anthony's comments as 'an almost conspiratorial whisper' and his prediction has now come true.

Hamilton himself has previously admitted he had considered moving to Ferrari, having dreamt about "what it would be like to be in red" when he was young. "I'd be lying if I said I'd never thought about ending my career anywhere else," he said.

"I started at McLaren, I'd like to think I'll always be a part of the McLaren family. I started there when I was 13 years old so I thought about what it would look like if I was at McLaren one day. I thought about and watched the Ferrari drivers on the screens at the track and of course you wonder what it would be like to be in red."

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News of Hamilton's impending switch to Ferrari comes mere months after Red Bull team principal Christian Horner claimed a member of his camp reached out to them about a move and that they had also held "serious talks" with Ferrari.

"We have had several conversations over the years about Lewis joining," he told the Mail. "They have reached out a few times. Most recently, earlier in the year, there was an inquiry about whether there would be any interest.

"He met John Elkann (Ferrari chairman), too. I think there were serious talks. It was around Monaco (in May). There were definitely conversations, perhaps with (team principal Frederic) Vasseur, too. But certainly with Elkann."

Hamilton is set to join Ferrari in 2025 (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Hamilton denied Horner's claims at the time, but Mercedes chief Christian Horner claimed it was Hamilton Sr who had approached Red Bull. "I have known Anthony Hamilton for 15 years and I don't think he was inquiring about himself to come and drive," he said.

"I don't know who represents who, but with the surname you would think they are reasonably close. Anthony is a good guy, a proud racing father and inevitably when drivers go through tough spots – and Lewis has not won a grand prix for two years – questions will be asked up and down the paddock.

"Lewis is the most successful driver of all time and he hasn't won a grand prix since 2021. You have not got to be a rocket scientist to work that out and I doubt I was the only one that an inquiry was made to."

Matthew Cooper