Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FERRARI HOT ON THE TRAIL OF HAMILTON
LEWIS HAMILTON’S possible switch to Ferrari has gained momentum as Mercedes face a make-or-break meeting over their Formula One future.
The six-time world champion’s £40million-a-year contract with the Silver Arrows expires at the end of this season and Ferrari have held preliminary talks with the Brit over a move in 2021.
Hamilton’s stunning title last year moved him to within just one triumph of Ferrari great Michael Schumacher’s record tally of seven.
And the possibility of Hamilton,
35, joining the famous Italian outfit gathered pace with the news that Mercedes will meet in a fortnight to decide whether to quit F1.
Mercedes’ current contract to race in F1 expires at the end of this season and the board of the team’s parent company Daimler have arranged a meeting for February 12.
Daimler are under pressure to slash
£850m from their wage bill, which could result in 10,000 jobs being lost worldwide.
The German manufacturer has ploughed huge amounts of money into racing since returning to F1 in 2010 and have reaped the rewards with six straight double world championships.
Hamilton has previously hinted his next move could be determined by the whereabouts of Toto Wolff (above), the Mercedes boss who has overseen five of his six titles.
Wolff has been linked with replacing Chase Carey as F1’s top boss, while there are also claims he is considering investing in Aston Martin.
Hamilton’s future has been a hot topic of discussion recently and this latest development adds fuel to the fire regarding his 2021 seat.
The Brit has made no secret of his admiration for the Italian giants and at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix he did little to shut down talk of a move.
Ferrari, who handed Charles Leclerc a new long-term deal last month, have grown frustrated with Sebastian Vettel after a series of high-profile misdemeanours.
And a link-up between the finest driver of his generation and F1’s top team looks a match made in heaven.