The wild speculation about a spectacular change from Formula 1 record world champion Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes to Ferrari never ends.
As the English newspaper “Daily Mail” reports, the Scuderia wants to offer the 38-year-old Briton a contract with a salary of around 46 million euros for the coming season. Hamilton is only tied to German carmaker Mercedes until the end of this year. The superstar had recently emphasized several times that he wanted to drive for the Silver Arrows in the future and was not currently thinking about a change.
There had been rumors of a Hamilton move to the Italians several weeks ago. However, the “Daily Mail” provided more concrete facts and figures for the first time. Money should play a supporting role, since Hamilton also earns a lot at Mercedes and would continue to earn it, it said. However, according to the newspaper, Hamilton is said to be in personal contact with the powerful Ferrari boss John Elkann. The American is the major decision-maker at the famous automobile manufacturer and is responsible for the entire group.
Mind games in red
Hamilton recently said in an interview with the US broadcaster ESPN that he had already imagined what it would be like to “drive in red”. “But then I go to my team, to Mercedes, and that’s my home. I’m happy where I am,” Hamilton said earlier this month. “I haven’t signed a contract yet, but we’re working on one.” Hamilton has been driving for the team since 2013 and has won six of its seven world titles in the Silver Arrow. Team boss Toto Wolff also recently emphasized that he wanted to continue working with Hamilton.
According to the Daily Mail, there are two scenarios for a Hamilton change. On the one hand, he could drive alongside Charles Leclerc in 2024, but on the other hand it is also possible for Hamilton and Leclerc to swap cockpits. Accordingly, the 25-year-old Monegasse Leclerc Mercedes could join. Wolff had recently denied such plans. “I didn’t have a single conversation with Charles, except for discussing at the airport whether we’re going to Starbucks or not,” said Wolff in Baku on Sky: “We’ve been traveling with Lewis for ten years and that won’t change either change.”
