Lewis Hamilton Sauber failed deal nearly changed the course of Formula 1 in 2007, as the British driver almost joined Sauber before a critical loan agreement unraveled. Talks led by former team chief Peter Sauber fell through after McLaren refused to accept a proposed two-year loan, insisting instead on a one-year term.
Hamilton had just come off a title-winning 2006 GP2 campaign, fueling speculation about his future. While McLaren had already secured Fernando Alonso, the departure of Kimi Raikkonen to Ferrari opened a seat for 2007. However, Peter Sauber revealed that detailed discussions took place at Kloten Airport, involving Hamilton, his father, McLaren representatives, and Monisha Kaltenborn, then Sauber’s in-house lawyer. The Swiss outfit, partnered with BMW at the time, saw great value in bringing Hamilton over — but only if it could be for two full seasons.
The deal fell through because McLaren only wanted to loan him for one year – but we insisted on two years!
– Peter Sauber, former Sauber team boss
Inside the Fallout of the Negotiations
The collapse of the talks ended what could have been a transformative move for both Sauber and Hamilton. Instead, McLaren retained Hamilton and paired him with Alonso. Hamilton’s performance made headlines as he matched Alonso on points in his rookie year, both drivers narrowly missing the championship to Raikkonen by a mere point after a tense finish in Brazil.
After their partnership with BMW, Sauber’s time in Formula 1 was marked by only one victory, delivered by Robert Kubica at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix. That result stood as a high point before BMW withdrew in 2009. McLaren’s decision to keep Hamilton paved the way for him to capture his first world title in 2008, before moving to Mercedes, where he clinched six more championships. In a major career move, Hamilton later joined Ferrari ahead of the most recent season.
Changing Fortunes for Sauber and McLaren
Sauber’s fortunes underwent further change following BMW’s exit, eventually culminating in a complete takeover by Audi in January 2025. The team, based in Hinwil, will race as Audi Revolut F1 Team starting in 2026, marking a fresh chapter for the storied operation.
The story of Hamilton’s near-move also emerged in the context of McLaren’s driver selections during that era. Matt Bishop, the team’s former communications chief, recalled curious reasons behind McLaren’s choices. He shared an unusual anecdote involving then CEO Martin Whitmarsh regarding why Robert Kubica was overlooked as a possible teammate for Hamilton in 2008.
I remember that Whitmarsh said at that time that one of the problems with Kubica, as a possible 2008 driver for McLaren, was that his nose was too big. He said that.
– Matt Bishop, former McLaren communications chief
Bishop’s recollection shed light on the attitudes within McLaren leadership, noting that such remarks were likely made in jest but reflected the team’s internal culture and preferences. He suggested that both Whitmarsh and prior boss Ron Dennis paid attention not only to performance and talent but also to a driver’s appearance.
Although, to be fair to Ron, I never heard him complaining about Robert’s nose…
– Matt Bishop, former McLaren communications chief
What the Aborted Deal Meant for Hamilton and Formula 1
After missing out on the Sauber move, Hamilton seized his chance with McLaren, quickly evolving into one of the most successful drivers in the sport’s history. Had Sauber been able to secure him for two seasons, both team and driver trajectories could have been dramatically altered — a “what if” that lingers through F1 circles.
For Sauber, the failed negotiation is a reminder of roadblocks faced by smaller teams trying to attract top-tier talent. For McLaren, the firm stance on keeping Hamilton for themselves was vindicated by his rapid success and eventual ascent to global sporting stardom. As Sauber transitions into the Audi era and Hamilton continues his storied journey with Ferrari, the episode stands as a testament to the unpredictable nature of motorsport destinies and the pivotal decisions that shape them.
