UNBELIEVABLE: Lewis Hamilton’s €50,000,000 Act of That Almost Cost Charles Leclerc His Ferrari Job…. Read more
Lewis Hamilton’s €50,000,000 Act of That Almost Cost Charles Leclerc His Ferrari Job
In a dramatic twist that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock, Lewis Hamilton’s staggering €50,000,000 salary deal with Scuderia Ferrari—widely regarded as one of the most generous contracts in the sport’s history—nearly triggered a crisis that could have seen teammate Charles Leclerc forced out of the team.
When Hamilton made the blockbuster switch from Mercedes to Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season, the seven-time world champion didn’t just bring his talent and global star power; he arrived with a financial package that redefined expectations. Reports from Forbes and other sources pegged Hamilton’s fixed salary at around $60-70 million (approximately €55-65 million), with additional bonuses, endorsements, and perks pushing his total earnings well over €80 million annually. A significant portion of the deal—estimated at up to €50 million in value when factoring in sponsorship boosts, ambassadorial roles, and investments into Hamilton’s Mission 44 foundation—was seen as an unprecedented “act of generosity” from Ferrari’s leadership, including Chairman John Elkann, who reportedly reopened negotiations to include substantial support for Hamilton’s charitable initiatives and long-term brand partnerships.
This lavish commitment paid immediate dividends off the track. Ferrari’s sponsorship revenues surged by around €50 million in the first year alone, thanks to Hamilton’s arrival drawing in major partners like HP and boosting the team’s market appeal. The move even contributed to a notable spike in Ferrari’s stock value shortly after the announcement. For a team that hadn’t won a drivers’ championship since 2007, signing the most decorated driver in F1 history felt like a masterstroke in commercial strategy.
But behind the glamour, the massive financial outlay created intense internal pressure. Ferrari’s budget had to stretch to accommodate Hamilton’s salary—far exceeding what they paid his predecessor, Carlos Sainz—while also honoring Leclerc’s own lucrative contract, reportedly worth around €30-34 million per year. Insiders revealed that the team’s leadership faced tough questions about resource allocation: Could they justify spending such a huge sum on a 40-year-old driver transitioning to a new team, especially when performance expectations were sky-high?
The 2025 season turned into a nightmare for both drivers. Ferrari struggled with an unpredictable SF-25 car plagued by setup issues, ride height problems, and a lack of development focus after April, as resources shifted toward the major 2026 regulation changes. Hamilton endured his first podium-less full season in his career, finishing well behind Leclerc in the standings (86 points adrift) and grappling with adaptation challenges. Leclerc, despite securing seven podiums and showing stronger pace, also went winless, leaving the team fourth in the constructors’ championship.
Amid this disappointment, speculation ran rampant. Paddock rumors suggested that if results didn’t improve quickly, Ferrari might have to make drastic lineup changes to justify the enormous investment in Hamilton. Some reports even hinted at discussions about prioritizing one driver over the other, with Leclerc—Ferrari’s long-term homegrown talent—potentially at risk if the team decided to double down on Hamilton as the centerpiece for marketing and performance recovery. The pressure was immense: Hamilton’s deal included options for extension, but continued underperformance could force tough calls, including the unthinkable prospect of parting ways with Leclerc to streamline costs or refocus efforts.
Team principal Fred Vasseur repeatedly emphasized unity, stating that both drivers were central to the project and that 2026 represented a “now or never” reset with the new active aerodynamics, sustainable fuels, and power unit rules. Yet the salary disparity fueled debates about team dynamics, with some critics arguing the financial “generosity” toward Hamilton skewed priorities and almost destabilized the garage.
Here are some striking visuals of the duo in action during their challenging 2025 partnership:
The contract’s announcement image, symbolizing the high-stakes move:
Your questions answered: All you need to know about Lewis …
Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed, and Ferrari recommitted to both drivers for 2026, implementing major changes like a redesigned suspension and steering wheel concepts based on feedback from Hamilton and Leclerc. The team now views the upcoming season as a pivotal opportunity to turn the page.
Hamilton’s €50,000,000 “act of generosity” both in the deal’s scale and the commercial windfall it deliveredremains one of F1’s boldest gambles. It elevated Ferrari’s profile but came perilously close to costing Leclerc his iconic red seat. As the sport heads into a transformative 2026 era, all eyes will be on Maranello to see if the investment finally pays off on track. (Word count: 852)
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