Hamilton slams the brakes on Ferrari…
Bullish Lewis says he’s staying put at Mercedes
LEWIS Hamilton has slammed the door on Ferrari’s hopes of pulling off the signing of the century. Mail Sport revealed on Monday that the scuderia were preparing to offer the seven-time world champion a contract to partner existing No 1 Charles Leclerc next year.
The news was the talk of the Monaco paddock yesterday and Hamilton had a spring in his step as he faced the press, no doubt flattered to see himself singled out by the sport’s glitziest suitors. But before Ferrari could follow through with an approach, the British driver insisted he intends to sign a new Mercedes deal ‘in the coming weeks’ and that he has yet to be contacted by the italian giants.
‘My team is working closely behind the scenes with Toto (wolff, Mercedes team principal) and we are almost at the end of having a contract ready,’ Hamilton said. ‘This is the first time that i have not been negotiating myself. i have a great team in the background that does the work and i focus on the job in hand.
‘i say what i want and that is what we are working towards so hopefully in the coming weeks it will (be decided).’
Hamilton, 38, always maintained that his favoured option was to remain at Mercedes, who have carried him to six of his seven world titles. But the silver Arrows’ troubles over the past two seasons cast doubt on his future, which is why Ferrari’s interest was aroused.
They also noted that it is strange that negotiations with Mercedes were dragging on. But, after the strength of his views expressed in Monaco, it would require a massive change of tack to see him do anything other than stay where he is.
He is now awaiting the results of the number- crunching which is being conducted on his behalf by his chief adviser and key ally, American Penni Thow.
Restating his faith in the team, despite their dethroning by Red Bull, Hamilton said: ‘we are still a championship-winning team. we have just had the wrong car, and there have been decisions made over the past two years that have not been ideal. we are working our way through that.
‘we have a new upgrade this weekend. The team have worked incredibly hard to bring this upgrade to this race after we decided that was the direction we wanted to take.’
Both Leclerc and Carlos sainz are under contract until the end of next season, but part of the Hamilton-related scheme under consideration at Ferrari was the idea of sainz being moved elsewhere. Neither driver has started discussions about extending their deals.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur said: ‘every single team on the grid would like to have Hamilton at one stage, and it would be bull**** not to say something like this. But if i have had discussions with Hamilton, it is because i have had discussions with him for the last 20 years.
‘i don’t want to have to stop having discussions with him because you (the press) are chasing me (about a contract offer).’
Hamilton’s upgrade this weekend includes a new sidepod, floor and front suspension. The massive overhaul was intended for imola last weekend, but the race was flooded off.