Page 29 - Car South Africa (February 2020)

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SCUDERIA FERRARI IN F1

PRANCING RACES 993

237
WINS
DESTINY 2 1 3 PODIUMS 765

1-2 FINISHES 83

CONSTRUCTORS’ TITLES 16
Rounding off his career in one of the most illustrious Scuderia in

motor racing could prove enticing for the 2019 F1 world champion DRIVERS’ TITLES 15

s the chequered ag rst world champion, Mike even the most innate talent. What a way to
fell in Abu Dhabi, the Hawthorn, did it in a Ferra- bow out. Much will depend, however, on
A effect of the 21-race ri in 1958. More recently – what he achieves in between.
season hit home. Adrenaline well, in 1989 and ‘90 – Nigel If Hamilton wins a seventh champion-
levels tumbled and feelings By: Maurice Hamilton Mansell had a typically dra- ship and equals Michael Schumacher’s re-
of exhaustion rose. Journal- MauriceHamilton matic period dressed in red. cord this year, will he want to walk away
ists were as keen as everyone Between these two, no fewer from a proven working relationship with
else to knock it into neutral, Maurice Hamilton is than eight drivers from the Mercedes and jeopardise the rare chance
switch off the laptop and an internationally UK signed on the dotted line of establishing an extraordinary eight in
cruise home. The gossip and acclaimed Formula at Maranello (naming them* 2021? The opportunity to set a new bench-
opinion could be put on hold One reporter and is a good question for your mark if he switched to Ferrari would be
author. He’s been a
for a few days. Or could it? next pub quiz). There can weakened by the time taken to bed in with
CAR contributor since
No sooner had members of 1987 and provides be no debate that Hamilton a new team, particularly one as politically
the media landed at various racing for Scuderia Ferrari complex and idiosyncratic as this one.
Formula One insight
destinations in Europe when to a number of would be the tastiest story Hamilton has said in the past records
cellphones were buzzing. Ed- international radio of them all. don’t mean that much; he embraces them
itors back at base wanted to and TV stations. How likely is it? Hamilton as and when they come but he does not set
know what to make of Lewis is certainly entertaining the out with statistical excellence as his main
Hamilton going to Ferrari. Ru- thought. Stories in the in u- motivation. Maybe so. To be in touching
mours about the colourful world champion ential Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello distance of such a remarkable milestone
are always newsworthy; link him with mo- Sport say he has already chatted with Fer- must surely blur his priorities.
torsport’s most iconic team and such spec- rari president, John Elkann. And why not? On the other hand, if he fails to secure
ulation shoots to the top of any agenda. Hamilton will be contractually free and a seventh in 2020, he has nothing to lose;
Sports editors, by de nition, are Jacks- driving for the Prancing Horse does have an in fact, a huge amount to gain nancially
of-all-trades but masters of only a few. For- allure, regardless of Ferrari’s apparent lack by making the switch after eight seasons
mula One and its associated complexity is of competitiveness. You could say helping with Mercedes. It could be argued Hamil-
de nitely not one of them. I was probably turn the team around to become a suc- ton would be ill-advised to move out of his
not alone in being asked if Mercedes was cessful part of such a rich heritage would comfort zone and step into the madness
horri ed by its golden boy upping sticks be a major attraction. Michael Schumach- of Ferrari. But that’s what the pundits said
and moving to Maranello overnight. It er (with the assistance of Ross Brawn, Jean in 2012 when he announced his departure
was necessary to explain that, if Hamilton Todt and South Africa’s Rory Byrne) did it. from McLaren – never lower than third in
moved at all, it would be after his contract Ayrton Senna was known to wish to drive the championship during the previous sev-
had expired at the end of 2020. That re- for Ferrari before he retired; a dream cut en years – to move to a team that was strug-
duced the anticipation of a juicy story from desperately short by the Brazilian’s fatal gling to nd its feet. Sixty-three wins later,
fever pitch to intense excitement. accident at Imola on 1 May 1994. we know the answer to that.
It also led to the broader question of how Hamilton will turn 36 in January 2021. It
unique it would be to have a British driv- will mark the start of his 15th season in F1 *Peter Collins, Cliff Allison, Tony Brooks, Mike
er working with the Italians. The answer and, arguably, the prime of his competitive Parkes, John Surtees, Jonathan Williams, Derek
is: not as rare as you would think. Britain’s years before age and fatigue begin to erode Bell and Eddie Irvine.

CARmag.co.za CAR FEBRUARY 2020 27