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Former F1 World Champion Reveals Key Reason Behind Hamilton's Ferrari Switch

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Farah Ben Gamra | Last updated Sep 11, 2025 12:14 PM ET

Lewis Hamilton signed one of the best deals on the F1 grid (and history) when he switched to Ferrari. His $67 million a year salary got all the headlines but the contract has other key clauses.

According to reports, he has an option to stay until 2027 and Ferrari has to buy him out if they want to get rid of him early. Just as important, he gets to race in red, something he’s been dreaming of since he was a kid.

One of the pillars of being an F1 driver isn't just the racing, it's doing the sponsor obligations. The amount of sponsor work that F1 drivers have to do can be relatively exhausting. In addition to the travel and racing, the drivers are also expected to do up to a couple of days each week of photo shoots, sponsor events, media events and fan signing events.

It doesn't necessarily sound like a lot of work, but after spending half the year racing at 24 races, plus training more than full-time, drivers don't feel like they can afford these commitments without giving up important rest and recovery time.

Nico Rosberg Says Fewer Sponsor Duties Helped Hamilton’s Move

Nico Rosberg, Hamilton’s former teammate at Mercedes and 2016 F1 World Champion, believes reduced commercial obligations played a big part in his decision to leave Mercedes. On the Sky Sports F1 Show, he said:

“That was one of the reasons for Lewis’ switch to Ferrari, also,” said Rosberg.

“Ferrari don’t use their drivers for sponsor dates. They have such a strong brand that they don’t have to offer their sponsors much time with drivers.

“I heard numbers that, in Vettel’s time, it was 10 days he had to do, and that was it. Especially in the twilight of your career, that’s something you value so enormously.

“That was part of Lewis’ reason to go to Ferrari also, part of the decision-making.”

With a 24-race calendar crammed into 9 months, plus testing and media duties, Hamilton, now the second-oldest driver on the grid , gets more time to rest and reset by not having to do the intensive sponsor schedule that came with his Mercedes contract.

He may not have scored a podium this season but his deal gives him more than financial security. It gives him the freedom to go for an 8th World title on his own terms and live the dream of driving for the most iconic team in F1.

Also Read: Lewis Hamilton Facing Unwanted First as Ferrari Struggles Continue

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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