LEW’S UP FERR IT Champ Hamilton set for switch to Italian giants
FERRARI chief executive Louis Camilleri claims that Lewis Hamilton wants to join the Italian giants when his Mercedes deal ends.
The six-time world champion continues to be linked with the famous Italian outfit in what would arguably be the biggest move in F1 history.
Hamilton, whose £40m-a-year Mercedes deal expires next year, refused to deny a report at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi that he has already met Ferrari chairman John Elkann.
And now Camilleri (right)
has revealed that preliminary discussions over a move for the 2021 season have taken place.
“It has been made public that Lewis has had conversations with our chairman,” said Camilleri.
“We are very flattered that Lewis in particular and other drivers want to come and join us. Every driver on the grid would like to drive a Ferrari.
“We have a long-term agreement with one driver [Charles Leclerc] and with the other driver [Sebastian Vettel] the agreement expires at the end of 2020.
“It would be premature to decide anything now for the future. We will look at our options and see what is the best fit for our team.”
Talk of Hamilton leaving reigning team champions Mercedes for Ferrari has given rise to speculation that Max
Verstappen could replace him with the Silver Arrows.
The 34-year-old suggested at the FIA’s annual awards gala – at which he was awarded his sixth World Drivers’ Championship – that his future is linked to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
“Would it be the same without Toto? I don’t think so,” Hamilton said.
“But he’s gotta do what’s right for him and, just like I’ll know what’s right for me, he has to make the right decision for him and his family and future. And change is sometimes a good thing.”
But Camilleri also scuppered any ambition Wolff has to run the sport by stating that Ferrari would vote against any move to owners Liberty Media.
Wolff has been earmarked as a prime candidate to take over from Chase Carey, whose future as F1’s CEO has been the subject of much speculation.
“For anybody who has been an active and important player in a certain team over the last years, to take on responsibility at F1 would create a conflict of interest,” said Camilleri.
“Our veto is the last resort tool. Should we be confronted with that [Wolff taking over from Carey] we would explain our position quite clearly to the folks at Liberty.”