Lewis Hamilton was on the verge of joining the Sauber Formula 1 team nearly 20 years ago, according to former team owner Peter Sauber. The revelation adds a surprising chapter to the early career of Hamilton, who is now known as a seven-time Formula 1 world champion.
After making his much-anticipated debut with McLaren in 2007 and capturing his first world title the following year, Hamilton quickly established himself in the sport. However, Peter Sauber has now disclosed that the Briton came close to beginning his F1 journey not with McLaren, but with the Swiss-based Sauber team, thanks to discussions involving McLaren, Sauber, and Hamilton’s representatives.
How Discussions Between McLaren and Sauber Unfolded
Peter Sauber spoke to the Swiss-German publication Blick about the lesser-known negotiations, saying,
“Hardly anyone knows that around 20 years ago, Lewis Hamilton almost drove for us,”
—Peter Sauber, former Sauber F1 team owner. At the time, Hamilton was under contract with McLaren, and McLaren saw value in loaning him to Sauber for experience. Sauber described the meeting, stating,
“The Briton belonged to McLaren, and they wanted to send him to Hinwil for his Formula 1 apprenticeship. So the McLaren delegation met with Lewis and his father, as well as our in-house lawyer Monisha Kaltenborn and myself at Kloten Airport.”
—Peter Sauber, former Sauber F1 team owner.
The teams reached advanced stages in their discussions, with both parties interested in making an arrangement that would allow Hamilton to gain race experience. However, the duration of the potential loan ultimately led to the deal collapsing. According to Sauber, the stumbling block was McLaren’s proposal for a single-year loan, while Sauber wanted Hamilton for at least two seasons.
Image of: Lewis Hamilton
“The deal fell through because McLaren only wanted to loan him for one year – but we insisted on two!”
—Peter Sauber, former Sauber F1 team owner.
A Pivotal Career Path for Hamilton
Instead of joining Sauber, Hamilton remained at McLaren, eventually leaving in late 2012 after several successful years with the British team. He then signed with Mercedes, where he enjoyed an era of dominance at the Brackley-based squad. With Mercedes, Hamilton added six more world titles to his tally and played a central role in securing eight constructors’ championships for the team.
Recent Moves and Performance at Ferrari
After a twelve-year stint with Mercedes, Hamilton announced his switch to Ferrari, joining the Maranello outfit ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season. He paired up with Charles Leclerc and reunited with team principal Fred Vasseur, who had managed Hamilton during his junior racing days at ART Grand Prix. Despite considerable excitement over the move, Hamilton initially struggled to adapt to his new team in 2025. His best results were a sprint race victory in China and several fourth-place finishes in the Emilia-Romagna, Austrian, British, and United States Grands Prix.
The Lasting Impact of the Sauber Story
Peter Sauber’s account offers insight into how close the world of Formula 1 came to seeing Lewis Hamilton start his career with a different team. The Lewis Hamilton Sauber F1 deal could have altered the trajectory of modern F1 history, impacting not only the Swiss squad but also the narrative of McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari. As Hamilton’s legacy continues with Ferrari, this revelation adds further intrigue to the formative years of one of F1’s greatest drivers.
