Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s consultant, claims the reason behind the Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari reports could be an effort by the Briton to become the highest-paid Formula 1 driver again.
Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s consultant, claims the reason behind the Reports have been swirling around recently, linking Lewis Hamilton with a sensational move to Ferrari, the Italian team reportedly willing to pay the seven-time F1 Champion a whopping $50-Million salary for his services.
The reports come amid speculation regarding Hamilton’s future with Mercedes (his contract runs out at the end of 2023), despite both the driver and the team insisting positive talks are underway to renew their collaboration, but the uncompetitive state of the eight-time Constructors’ Champions since 2022 is casting its shadows on the talks.
But now, Dr. Helmut Marko has given his own interpretation of the situation, and gave his insight on the Hamilton-Mercedes-Ferrari love triangle, if you can call it that.
“There are two things that really bother Hamilton,” Marko told F1 Insider. “Firstly, that he is no longer a world champion and will find it difficult to become one again in the future.”
Verstappen highest paid F1 driver, not Hamilton
“And he knows that there is no place for him at Red Bull,” the Austrian, whose team has Max Verstappen locked in until 2028.
But will Ferrari help Hamilton achieve the coveted eighth F1 Drivers’ Crown? Marko is not so sure; he said: “Whether Ferrari will be better for him in sporting terms than Mercedes in the future is not set in stone.”
With talks about the $50-Million paycheck Hamilton might be receiving should he don the Red coveralls, Marko has his own interpretation.
“In addition to the sporting perspective, Lewis is far from happy about no longer being the highest-paid driver in Formula 1,” he said.
“That title now belongs to Max Verstappen. At least with Ferrari’s help, he could change that,” the Red Bull advisor mused.