Lewis Hamilton has already made feelings clear over working with Charles Leclerc at Ferrar | F1 | Sport
Lewis Hamilton has already talked up a potential partnership with Charles Leclerc if the Brit does opt to leave Mercedes. Rumours have swirled regarding the seven-time world champion’s future at the Silver Arrows, with a move to Ferrari possibly on the cards in a sensational swap.
Hamilton has already hit out at his own team this season, complaining that he was not consulted enough regarding the car that Mercedes provided him with. His contract expires at the end of the campaign, as it had been expected that the 38-year-old would sign another deal that would see him end his career at Mercedes.
However, many have claimed that Hamiton’s only chance at winning a record eighth title would be if he leaves Mercedes. He may feel that a move to another contender could lift him above Michael Schumacher’s championship total and into the greatest F1 driver of all time in many supporters’ eyes.
Hamilton has never hidden his admiration for Ferrari and Leclerc, who he could be partnered with next season if he does opt to leave Mercedes. He would replace Carlos Sainz in such a move, though the Spaniard does have a contract until 2024, but Hamilton has previously dropped hints that he would be open to a move.
“Leclerc is very strong, you could always see that,” Hamilton told Corriere della Sera last year. “I would say one thing: if I could sit down with the fans on the bleachers over there, I would support Charles. I am a Ferrari fan. Mercedes is my family, I will always be a Mercedes driver, like Stirling Moss was.”
While Speaking to Sky Sports in 2021, Hamilton said: “[It is] definitely going to be crazy to think that I never drove for Ferrari. For everyone that’s a dream position to be in. It was just never really fully on the cards for me.
“I’ll never know fully exactly why, but I wish them all the best and I’m going to spend the next bit of my time stopping them from winning the championship!”
Former champion Jonny Herbert explained the factors at play over a potential Ferrari swoop for Hamilton next year and a problem that could halt any move. “I suppose it’s down to what happens at Mercedes,” Herbert told the London Evening Standard. “Can they turn it around? If that doesn’t work and Lewis still has the fire in his belly and thinks this is not the place for him where does he go?
“Would he go to Ferrari? Does he want to go there as he feels that’s where he gets a championship? Would he feel he could take his energy and people from Mercedes there like Michael Schumacher did and actually change and steer it in a positive way? The problem with that is time.”
