Lewis Hamilton was so sure to join Ferrari that he was appealing to take a pay prick to leave Mercedes.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, insecure System One on Thursday when it was printed that he could maybe be joining Charles Leclerc’s team for the 2025 season.
Whereas crucial aspects of Hamilton’s dazzling decision continue to play out – Mercedes boss Toto Wolff acknowledged that Hamilton’s switch had been within the works but restful shocked the Silver Arrows – it looks the oldschool racer will fetch about $1million much less once he begins driving for Ferrari.
Accoring to Forbes, Hamilton got a salary of $55m last season with Mercedes.
The 39-year-veteran British driver will fetch $53.9m at some level of his first year with Ferrari, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported.
Max Verstappen, who has received three consecutive F1 championships while dominating the game with Crimson Bull, made a salary of $45m last season.
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But with an additional £25m in bonuses, Verstappen’s overall number increased to a whopping $70m, without anguish outpacing Hamilton.
Bridging the wide financial hole could maybe furthermore no longer be easy for Hamilton, who was F1’s finest-paid driver earlier than being surpassed by Verstappen.
However the incoming Ferrari superstar is joining a original crew within the hope that the game’s most renowned team can recreate veteran heroics.
“The time is correct for me to take this step and I am excited to be taking on a original yell,” Hamilton acknowledged.
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“I will most likely be without extinguish grateful for the grand red meat up of my Mercedes household, especially Toto for his friendship and management, and I desire to attain on a high together.”
Mercedes appeared caught off guard by Hamilton’s announcement, which is ready to power Wolff to procure a original teammate for George Russell for the 2025 season.
“Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team and Lewis Hamilton will piece ways at the tip of the 2024 season,” Mercedes launched. “Lewis has activated a liberate option within the contract launched last year.”
Lewis Hamilton and George Russel kick off Las Vegas Grand Prix by racing with dazzling drone gentle designate in Nevada desolate tract
Hamilton have to no longer meander over the misplaced $1m in salary once he switches over to the Italian team’s world-well-known red.
He has a procure price estimated at $285m and a resounding assortment of his maintain Ferraris.