Lewis Hamilton was one step away from signing a contract with someone outside F1

Peter Sauber, founder of the Sauber Formula 1 team, said that he was very close to signing a contract with Lewis Hamilton nearly 20 years ago.

At the time, the Briton was in the McLaren youth academy, but the Woking team, which regularly challenges for championship titles, planned to send Hamilton outside the peloton for a season to gain experience in Formula One.

According to the Swiss driver, his and McLaren’s vision of the situation did not align. While Peter Sauber was counting on long-term cooperation, the British team was only considering the option of hiring pilots on a temporary basis. Due to different terms and conditions, the deal ultimately did not happen.

“Almost no one knows that Lewis Hamilton planned to race for Sauber nearly 20 years ago.”

“He was part of the McLaren team and they wanted to send him to Hinwil for training. That’s why the McLaren delegation met with Lewis and his father Anthony, me and our lawyer Monisha Kaltenborn at Kloten Airport.”

“In the end the deal didn’t work out because McClaren only wanted to loan him for one season and we insisted on a two-year loan.”

As a result, Lewis Hamilton remained with McLaren and entered the title fight in his first season in Formula 1. The Briton lost the championship largely due to a series of unfortunate circumstances, but he immediately showed the top level. Lewis currently has 7 championships.