Why Mercedes stopped Lewis Hamilton from joining Ferrari's post-season test at Yas Marina
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With Lewis Hamilton set to join Ferrari in 2025, discussions arose about the possibility of him testing for his new team during the post-season session in Abu Dhabi at the Yas Marina circuit.
According to current F1 regulations, teams cannot run 2025 or 2024 cars outside of official tests, except for designated filming days, before the pre-season testing session at the Bahrain International circuit. Ferrari had hoped to put Lewis Hamilton in their car to give him an early introduction to the team ahead of his competitive debut. However, Mercedes has reportedly decided against granting permission, delaying the first official drive with Ferrari for the seven-time Formula 1 world champion.
Reports from Autosport indicate that while Ferrari hoped to secure Lewis Hamilton for a post-season tire test at the circuit which was designed by Hermann Tilke and is situated on Yas Island, any chance of an early session has now been dismissed due to Hamilton’s existing commitments to Mercedes.
Lewis Hamilton's Contractual Obligations to Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton's contract with Mercedes extends through December 31, which binds him to certain obligations, including sponsor commitments. Ferrari had initially hoped Mercedes would release him for the tire test session, scheduled for the Tuesday following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, to get an early start with the seven-time champion in their SF-24 car. However, Autosport reports that the British driver will fulfill promotional appearances with Mercedes, including one with title sponsor Petronas, during that time, meaning Ferrari will have to wait until 2025 to see Hamilton in action.
Under F1's "Testing of Previous Cars" regulations, Ferrari plans to run Lewis Hamilton in their 2022 car early next year, giving him a chance to familiarize himself with Ferrari machinery in preparation for the new season.
Hamilton's Current Form Questioned
Lewis Hamilton's challenging weekend in São Paulo, where he only managed a 10th-place finish, has sparked renewed debate about his performance level. Throughout the race weekend at the Interlagos circuit, the British driver voiced frustration over the bumpy surface at Interlagos and later spent time at the Mercedes factory analyzing the data to identify areas for improvement.
Former Ferrari team manager Peter Windsor attributed Lewis Hamilton's struggles partly to his caution in wet conditions, citing the car’s difficulty on the slick surface. Meanwhile, former *Top Gear* presenter Jeremy Clarkson labeled Hamilton as "past his prime" and "too old" in a recent column, while former F1 champion Damon Hill countered, suggesting that Jeremy Clarkson may come to regret those remarks.
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