UNITED KINGDOM: Amid speculation surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s future in F1, renowned commentator Peter Windsor has expressed his belief that the British racing icon should not even consider a move to Ferrari unless they offer him a deal worth at least £80 million.
As Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes nears its expiration at the end of the 2023 season, rumours have been circulating about a potential switch to the Scuderia.
A recent report suggested that Ferrari president John Elkann has been in close contact with Hamilton and is preparing an offer worth £40 million to partner him with Charles Leclerc in 2024.
However, Hamilton swiftly denied these rumours, stating that he and Mercedes have almost finalised an extension. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur dismissed the report as typical gossip but admitted that every team on the grid would like to have Hamilton at some point.
Speaking on a YouTube stream, Windsor, a former team manager for Williams and Ferrari, expressed his opinion that Hamilton should demand a significantly higher figure from Ferrari.
He argued that Hamilton’s association with the prestigious Ferrari brand and his potential impact on their image would warrant a price tag of at least £50 million for PR and brand turnaround alone.
Additionally, as a top-tier driver, Hamilton’s market value as a pure race driver should be around £25–30 million, according to Windsor.
However, he cautioned Hamilton against leaving Mercedes just as they are regaining their competitiveness, as history suggests the team’s resilience in finding a way to succeed.
Despite being the most successful team in F1 history, Ferrari has struggled to secure a World Championship title since 2008 and has seen only four victories in the past four seasons.
He acknowledged that £80 million might seem excessive but argued that £40 million is insufficient, stating, “If he does it for £40 million, hats off to him because it means he’s just doing it for the love of the sport.”
The prospect of Hamilton donning the famous red colours of Ferrari remains tantalising, but whether the team can secure the services of the seven-time World Champion will likely depend on their willingness to break the bank.
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