The Formula 1 industry is intricate with elements like automakers, sponsors, contracts, business stakes, allegiances, and royalties. This complexity is further heightened by instances where drivers may be in association with one team while being contracted by another. Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton is in such a situation, currently navigating the paddock limbo before his upcoming debut in red attire for the next season.
Presently, Hamilton drives for Mercedes-AMG but has an agreement with Ferrari for 2025. At present public events, Hamilton is unexpectedly receiving Ferrari merchandise. It’s not surprising that Ferrari enthusiasts are seizing the chance to get some early access Hamilton-Ferrari goodies. But hold your horses!
In a video posted by
formula_aerodynamics on Instagram, Hamilton is surrounded by fans at an appearance in Miami. As is customary, he’s bombarded with various requests, including Ferrari caps. In response, Hamilton promptly states: “I’ll sign Mercedes caps, not Ferrari caps.”
A post shared by The home of all things racing 🏠 (@formula_aerodynamics)
The video’s
title states “Mercedes’ marketing group prohibited Hamilton from autographing Ferrari caps.” I searched online extensively but couldn’t find any validating proof for that claim, so I contacted the team’s PR for verification. Alas, this is inaccurate.
“There is no such regulation so I suspect the caption is highly speculative without much substantial insight,” a Mercedes-AMG F1 spokesperson informed The Drive. “We acknowledge that Lewis might not want to be seen signing a Ferrari hat considering he remains a Mercedes driver until the year’s end.”
While some followers might perceive Hamilton’s refusal of Ferrari merchandise as harsh, it’s completely justifiable. Drivers are contractually bound talents, and their agreements are extremely precise about the brands they can engage with and endorse, not to mention the items they can sign. Even if the team has not explicitly forbidden Hamilton, in a global sport like F1, appearances matter.
It’s also common for teams to require this conduct from their drivers, as motorsport reporter and The Drive F1 contributor Elizabeth Blackstock recalls a similar incident from a few years ago.
“It’s probable that they’ve requested him not to,” stated Blackstock. “During the year Sebastian Vettel announced his departure from Red Bull to join Ferrari, I remember numerous attempts by people to have him autograph Ferrari hats at the USGP, to which he declined.”
There’s proof that Hamilton did sign a Ferrari hat at one of the season’s early races; there’s even a playful video of the incident. It’s speculated to be Hamilton’s first-ever Ferrari autograph and rumored to be valuable. Therefore, even if Mercedes’ marketing team isn’t imposing this, there likely has been a private conversation at some point.
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