Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton has dismissed reports he has agreed a contract to join Ferrari but rather revealed that he is currently in talks to extend his deal with Mercedes.
The 38-year-old’s contract with Mercedes runs out at the end of the year with continuous speculation over his future due to Mercedes’ loss of pace and performance compared to its other rivals.
F1 is in Monaco this weekend after the cancellation of the Romagna-Emilia Grand Prix last week and Hamilton is optimistic of a better outing in the Principality as Mercedes bring roll out their first car upgrade of the season that was supposed to be used in Imola.
“I don’t know, I think maybe with the weekend… last weekend with the race being cancelled (the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix), maybe they (the media) just got bored and, started to… but yeah, I think, as I said… my team’s working closely behind the scenes with (Mercedes team principal) Toto (Wolff). We almost at the end of… having the contract ready,” Hamilton said ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix.
“Naturally when you’re in contract negotiations there’s always going to be speculation. I think ultimately unless you hear from me that is all it is.
“No, it doesn’t have a bearing I think because we’re still a championship-winning team it’s just we’ve had the wrong car, there have been some decisions that have been made over the past two years that have not been ideal and we’re working our way through that.
“All the energy is going towards the new upgrade this weekend, the team have worked incredibly hard to bring this upgrade. We already after Bahrain decided that’s what we’re going to do so I was a little bit gutted when the last race was cancelled as I was excited to try this new package.
Lead Ferrari driver was asked if he would like to have Hamilton as a teammate and stated he was content with having current driver Carlos Saiz Jr. as his teammate while praising Hamilton’s abilities.
“Hello Lewis! I mean… as fast teammate. As everybody (else), we are in Formula One and love to be fighting against the best,” Leclerc said.
“But that’s not to say that my teammate is not fast. Carlos (Sainz Jr.) is an extremely, fast driver. But yeah, considering that, I’m not the person who makes the choices. So yeah, let’s see.”
“Lewis is such an incredible driver and has achieved so much in the sport. I think anyone on the grid would love to have Lewis as their teammate as everyone would learn a lot from him.
“But again, I’m happy where I am and with Carlos it’s a great relationship too.”
