Lewis Hamilton has opened up on the discussions he’s had with Ferrari during his Formula 1 career, citing that a move never materialised as he wasn’t “ready to move to Italy.”
Hamilton’s future dominated the off-track headlines throughout the early months of 2023 amid a continuation of Mercedes’ struggles under the latest regulation cycle.
The seven-time champion was repeatedly linked with a switch to Ferrari, whose current drivers – Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz – don’t retain deals beyond the end of 2024.
But asked in an exclusive interview with Swiss outlet Blick whether he had received an offer from the Maranello camp at any stage, Hamilton replied: “Never. Okay, we’ve definitely had a few irrelevant conversations. I know a lot of good people there. But I never felt ready to move to Italy.”
Eventually, it was confirmed ahead of the Italian Grand Prix last month that Hamilton had agreed a two-year extension to remain at Mercedes until the end of 2025.
The resolution came three months after Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff had stated an agreement was “more days than weeks” away. Once the agreement was announced, Wolff then revealed that discussions surrounding marketing commitments had been behind the delay.
“This isn’t the first time the two of us have discussed and haggled over details for hours,” Hamilton admitted. “Always under the motto: From Thursday to Sunday I belong exclusively to Formula 1.”
He added: “There are so many details about my promotional activities. I’m in a fortunate position with Toto.
“He is respected and admired by everyone. It’s easy to negotiate with him. And that makes him a great leader.”
Hamilton, who entered F1 back in 2007, detailed how extensive contracts have become in the modern era compared to when he started out as a rookie at McLaren.
Questioned if he still reads the contents of his contracts himself, Hamilton said: “Of course I want to know exactly what’s in there. But now it’s over 200 pages or a damn book. And that takes you days!”
The Briton has always driven with Mercedes power in F1 – pressed on whether he had considered a change at any stage, Hamilton responded: “Not really.”
Hamilton has also ruled out taking a sabbatical and returning like ex-title nemesis Fernando Alonso elected to do.
“That won’t happen to me,” he declared when that particular possibility was put to him.
“When capital is over, it’s over. I can’t imagine standing in the paddock or garage without then getting into a car. But as I said before: never say never.”
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