What if Hamilton had signed for Ferrari in 2020?
The signing that almost happened. Would the Brit have given up the dominant W11 for the red dream?
The simulation's verdict
Lewis Hamilton would have won the 2020 title in 100% of the 200 simulations.
Lewis Hamilton
Charles Leclerc
Who finished ahead
Based on 200 simulations of the 2020 season. Numbers can vary each time you play.
Historical context
There were real conversations between Hamilton and Ferrari before the Brit renewed with Mercedes. The 2020 SF1000 was far inferior to the W11, the most dominant car of the hybrid era. Simulating this scenario reveals how much the car matters versus driver talent.
The real 2020 season
The 2020 season was held in extraordinary circumstances: the COVID-19 pandemic forced an improvised calendar of seventeen closed-door races, with double-headers at unusual circuits. Amid the organisational chaos, Mercedes was an island of stability. The W11, regarded as the most dominant car of the entire hybrid era, allowed Lewis Hamilton to put together an almost perfect season. The Briton surpassed Michael Schumacher's historic record of 91 wins and kept adding victories until leaving the tally at figures that seemed untouchable. The defining moment came at a rain-soaked Turkish Grand Prix, where with masterful driving on the slippery asphalt Hamilton sealed his seventh world title, equalling what was thought to be Schumacher's eternal record.
Real champion: Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes W11. Hamilton equals Schumacher with 7 titles in Turkey, in the rain, with a masterful performance. See the full 2020 season →
The driver
Lewis Hamilton is the most decorated driver in history in wins and poles, and equals Schumacher with seven world titles. Raised in Stevenage and backed by McLaren from childhood, he burst onto the scene in 2007 with such force that he came within a single point of the championship in his rookie year. He made amends in 2008, clinching his first title on the final corner of the last race in Brazil, snatching it from Felipe Massa metres from the line. Full profile →
How it's simulated
The engine recreates qualifying (Q1, Q2, Q3) and every Grand Prix with the ~20 real drivers of 2020, weighing each car's performance, driver skill, weather, safety cars and tyre wear. Learn how the simulator works →
Season
2020
Mode
One driver, different car
Car
Ferrari
Tags
Choose driver, car and season. The engine simulates the full championship with real drivers.