In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through the motorsport world, Peter Sauber has disclosed that Lewis Hamilton was on the verge of joining his team back in 2007. This bombshell came to light during Sauber’s recent visit to Abu Dhabi, where he bid farewell to his former team as it prepares to transition into Audi. The 2024 season will mark a significant shift, not only for Sauber but for the very identity of the team, as the familiar name will be retired in favor of the automotive giant.
Hamilton’s meteoric rise in motorsport began with his triumphant 2006 GP2 championship win, a feat that underscored the immense talent that McLaren, led by Ron Dennis, had identified in him since the age of 12. When the time came for Hamilton to step up to Formula 1, McLaren made the bold decision to put the young driver in the driver’s seat alongside the reigning world champion Fernando Alonso. This pairing was explosive and would ultimately lead to a dramatic season filled with tension and fierce competition.
However, the backstory that Sauber shared is nothing short of intriguing. Speaking with veteran journalist Roger Benoit from Blick, Sauber recounted a pivotal moment that many fans and insiders were completely unaware of. “Practically no one knows that about 20 years ago Lewis Hamilton was set to race for Sauber. He was with McLaren, and they intended to send him to Hinwil for his apprenticeship,” Sauber explained. This arrangement was in the works, and it seemed like a perfect fit for the then-22-year-old Hamilton to gain valuable experience in F1.
The negotiations were serious, involving Hamilton, his father Anthony, Sauber himself, and their legal counsel, Monisha Kaltenborn, during a meeting at Kloten airport. However, the deal ultimately fell apart due to a disagreement over the length of the loan. McLaren was only willing to lend Hamilton for one season, while Sauber pushed for a two-year commitment to fully integrate the promising talent into their team. This crucial detail reveals how close Hamilton came to donning the Sauber colors, a twist of fate that would have dramatically altered the landscape of Formula 1 as we know it.
As we look back, this revelation not only highlights the fluidity of driver movements within Formula 1 but also underscores the strategic decisions that teams make in nurturing young talent. Had Hamilton made the jump to Sauber, the sport’s history might have taken an entirely different trajectory. With Sauber’s legacy now transitioning to Audi, this story serves as a poignant reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the high-stakes world of motorsport.
