Is Hamilton tipping cap at Ferrari?
LeWIs HaMILton has opened the door to making the move Formula one is crying out for — signing for Ferrari.
despite having started contract talks with Mercedes to stay beyond his current £40million-a-year deal that expires next year, the six-times world champion revealed he is unwilling to commit until he is certain team principal toto Wolff will stay, too.
the austrian is in the running to take over the leadership of the sport from the moustachioed american Chase Carey.
Further muddying the waters is the shape of Mercedes’ long-term involvement in grand prix racing.
In a soaking sao Paulo, Hamilton said: ‘ I am waiting to see where toto’s head is at.
‘ It is a difficult one. I know that being stuck in a position for too long is not always a positive. I want people to spread their wings and do what is best for them. only toto will know what that is.
‘ But I know that you have to have the right people in place, especially as the figurehead of a business. He is the perfect match, so I don’t want him to leave. What has been built will continue for a period of time but a new person coming in will start doing things his own way and most likely it will go wrong.’
Hamilton’s analysis will delight anyone who shares the view expressed by red Bull’s Max Verstappen that the Briton’s domination is ‘getting a bit boring’.
What could stir the blood more than Hamilton pushing for a seventh or eighth championship to match or better Michael schumacher in the Ferrari team at which the german wrote his legend?
It may be a better bet than staying put, given how Wolff is in two minds over Mercedes’ plans. ‘everything indicates that we will stay,’ said the 47-year-old team boss. ‘But it’s not a given.’
Wolff’s comments come as Mercedes prepare to join Formula e and a few months after owners daimler committed €10billion to develop electric and hybrid road cars, ending their combustion engine programme. the stated intention is to turn their fleet carbon neutral by 2039.
Wolff, who has overseen six drivers’ and six constructors’ titles in as many years, added: ‘We’ve had a very successful run. there’s nothing more to prove.’