Ferrari followers flocked to Fiorano for his or her first glimpse of Lewis Hamilton donning the workforce’s iconic pink overalls, however the determination to exchange Carlos Sainz with the seven-time world champion has left Jacky Ickx feeling ‘unhappy.’
Jacky Ickx, a legendary Scuderia driver, doesn’t imagine Lewis Hamilton’s two-year contract, which incorporates an choice for a 3rd yr, was purely based mostly on sporting benefit. He argues that Ferrari already had a well-balanced driver line-up with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, who persistently carried out at the same stage.
The Spanish driver joined Ferrari in 2021, changing four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, and spent 4 years racing alongside Leclerc. Throughout that point, the Spaniard outscored the Monegasque in his first season, secured 4 Grand Prix victories in comparison with Leclerc’s six, and achieved 21 podium finishes to his teammate’s 30.
Jacky Ickx: Ferrari signed Lewis Hamilton for ‘advertising,’ leaving Carlos Sainz departure ‘unhappy’
The chance to signal Hamilton, who holds data for essentially the most Grand Prix wins, podiums, and pole positions in F1 historical past, was just too tempting for Ferrari as they entered 2024 with each Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc within the ultimate yr of their contracts. Ferrari finalized Lewis Hamilton’s signing in February, shortly after extending the Monegasque driver’s deal till 2029.
Nevertheless, Jacky Ickx believes the choice wasn’t solely about Lewis Hamilton’s unparalleled on-track achievements. As a substitute, he views the transfer as closely influenced by Hamilton’s standing as one of many world’s most marketable athletes, suggesting that Carlos Sainz’s exit was pushed extra by business issues than efficiency.
Jacky Ickx, chatting with *Mundo Deportivo*, expressed his ideas on Carlos Sainz’s tenure at Ferrari and his departure from the workforce. He famous that Sainz had carried out admirably throughout his time at Maranello however advised that Ferrari’s determination to signal Lewis Hamilton might have been influenced by elements past pure racing benefit. In response to Ickx, Ferrari was doubtless tempted to safe Hamilton’s companies for advertising causes, in addition to Hamilton’s need to embark on a brand new chapter in his profession and embrace Ferrari in his illustrious historical past.
Jacky Ickx emphasised that there was nothing to criticize about Sainz’s efficiency at Ferrari. The Spaniard had achieved success, together with Grand Prix victories, however Ickx remarked that these accomplishments had been now a part of the previous, and Carlos Sainz wanted to give attention to the subsequent chapter of his profession. He highlighted the multifaceted nature of Components 1, mentioning that it’s not nearly politics but in addition economics and advertising, though, finally, the objective is all the time to win.
The Belgian, who completed as runner-up within the drivers’ standings with Ferrari in 1970, admitted that Sainz’s departure from the Scuderia saddened him, particularly given the robust performances the Spaniard delivered throughout his tenure. Nevertheless, Jacky Ickx pressured that Sainz should now consider his future with Williams and go away Ferrari behind.
Reflecting on the partnership between the Spaniard and Charles Leclerc, Jacky Ickx expressed his admiration for a way properly the 2 drivers labored collectively. He famous that the pairing was efficient, with each drivers profitable races and persistently staying shut to at least one one other by way of efficiency. He acknowledged the problem in understanding how the choice to finish that partnership happened however reiterated his disappointment over Carlos Sainz’s departure.
Finally, Jacky Ickx inspired the previous Ferrari man to maneuver ahead and give attention to benefiting from his new alternative at Williams, reasonably than dwelling on what might need been. For Ickx, the important thing to success lies in embracing the current and doing one’s greatest with the assets at hand.
Ferrari, as probably the most iconic and recognizable manufacturers on the earth, didn’t essentially must signal Lewis Hamilton purely for advertising functions. Nevertheless, when the chance to safe a driver of Hamilton’s stature presents itself, it’s tough to move up the extra increase he brings each on and off the observe.
Hamilton’s world attraction is plain, as highlighted by SportsPro’s 2024 rankings of the world’s most marketable athletes, the place he holds the eleventh spot. Topping the record is Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, adopted by Actual Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, NBA legend LeBron James, WNBA star Caitlin Clark, and soccer icon Lionel Messi. These athletes have cemented their positions as world superstars, commanding huge audiences and model attraction.
Notably, Hamilton outranks a number of different sporting legends within the marketability stakes. Cristiano Ronaldo, one in every of soccer’s biggest ever gamers, is ranked ninth, whereas NFL sensation Travis Kelce, who has garnered extra fame because the companion of pop celebrity Taylor Swift, sits simply behind Hamilton in twelfth place. Rising tennis star Coco Gauff follows in thirteenth.
On this planet of Components 1, Lewis Hamilton leads the pack in terms of marketability. His closest rivals, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, are ranked considerably decrease, at thirty first and thirty third, respectively. The British driver’s capability to transcend the game and attraction to audiences far past F1 reinforces why Ferrari couldn’t ignore the worth he brings, even because the Scuderia stays a powerhouse model in its personal proper.
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