- Lewis Hamilton has addressed speculation that he could have moved to Ferrari
- The seven-time world champion said he was “never” made an offer by the team
- There is a lot of speculation that Hamilton may have left Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton has finally admitted he spoke to Ferrari before signing his new £100million deal to stay at Mercedes.
As Mail Sport revealed in May, the seven-time world champion was in talks with Formula 1’s most famous team as he considered where he should spend the last of the best years of his career.
At the time, 38-year-old Hamilton denied any contact.
When asked before the Monaco Grand Prix whether the Scuderia had made an inquiry, he replied “no”.
Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur was also pressed to deny that the red team had even tried to sign Hamilton.
Lewis Hamilton has addressed speculation that he is close to making a surprise move from Mercedes to Formula 1 rival Ferrari
This summer there was speculation that the driver was being linked with a move to Ferrari
Team boss Frederic Vasseur (second from right) was also asked about this topic
This came despite Mail Sport’s revelation that Hamilton had spoken to Ferrari president John Elkann – either as a negotiating ploy or in earnest.
Despite the courtship, Hamilton committed to Mercedes at the end of August, signing a two-year deal worth £50m a year, making him 40 years old.
But now Hamilton has told the truth – in part – by admitting there had been contact between them, without going into detail about the full extent of the conversations.
In an interview with the Swiss magazine Blick, Hamilton said: “Okay, we definitely had a few relaxed conversations.” I know a lot of good people there. But I never felt ready to move to Italy.”
When asked if Ferrari had offered him a deal, he replied: “Never.”
Hamilton’s new contract with Mercedes will see him become the sport’s top earner alongside Max Verstappen, but the decision hasn’t always seemed easy.
The seven-time champion has been vocal about his problems with the Mercedes over the last two seasons.
But Hamilton (pictured) signed a two-year deal to stay at Mercedes, making him the highest-paid driver in Formula 1 alongside Max Verstappen
Questions were also raised about whether Hamilton would retire, but he said his teammate George Russell (right) had given him “motivation” to keep racing
“But it became a love-hate relationship,” Hamilton continued. “There are days when I would rather not get into the cockpit,”
“But then the duels with my teammate.” [Russell] give me motivation. “You always have to be wide awake.”
The Mercedes driver finished fifth in Japan last week, having achieved his last podium finish a week earlier; secured third place at the Singapore Grand Prix.
He has yet to win a race this season, although he finished second in Spain and Australia. His last victory came in December 2021 in Saudi Arabia.