Getting a seat at Ferrari is a dream come true for most drivers, however not everyone is able to seal a deal to the Italian outfit. While some drivers have missed out on joining the Scuderia simply due to bad timing, others have seen their moves tragically taken away from them. Here's a look at some of the names that came close but never made the switch to Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton
It seems as though rumours linking Lewis Hamilton with a move to Ferrari happen every year. The seven-time world champion has never been shy in declaring his admiration for the Scuderia, and vice versa, which seemed to indicate a move would happen at some point. The rumours really took off in 2019 when Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto hinted he was happy that Hamilton's contract was set to expire in 2021. However, things never quite materialised as Ferrari will have Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz at the helm in 2021, meaning that once again, there is no room for Hamilton.
Robert Kubica
Before the Polish driver was seriously injured in an accident in 2011, it was long believed that he had signed a contract to join Renault. However, Kubica has since admitted that he had a deal in place to join Ferrari and become Fernando Alonso's teammate in 2012. "[The] First [goal] is to enter F1," he told F1's official podcast. "Second is to become established in F1, so you have good value, a good reputation, which is more difficult than to enter. Third, you win a world championship or become a Ferrari driver."
Jules Bianchi
Jules Bianchi seemed destined for Ferrari. The Frenchman was part of the Ferrari Driver Academy and showed he was more than up to the challenge of Formula 1 while driving for Marussia. In 2014, Bianchi was told by Ferrari that he would move to Sauber the following year, allowing him to move up the grid while developing his skills. While the move was made in hopes that Bianchi would one day drive for Ferrari, it tragically never came to be. Bianchi was seriously injured in an accident in very wet conditions during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. He was put into an induced coma and passed away in July 2015.
Nico Hulkenberg
If seemed as though Hulkenberg would drive for Ferrari at some point in his career, as the Scuderia had their eye on the German during his time with Sauber in 2013. With the Italian team looking for a new face to partner Fernando Alonso in 2014, Kimi Raikkonen was also in consideration. Unfortunately for Hulkenberg the Iceman impressed while with Lotus, winning the opening race of the season in Australia en route to a fifth place finish in the championship. As a result Raikkonen was brought back to Ferrari, leaving Hulkenberg to rue over what might have been.
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