On Thursday, Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Method One champion, clarified that he has not but acquired any proposals from Ferrari, expressing optimism that an settlement for a contract extension with Mercedes will likely be reached “within the upcoming weeks.”
The 38-year-old is in a contract 12 months with Mercedes and up to date studies have linked Hamilton to a transfer to Ferrari. However the British driver stated there have been no talks with Ferrari on the Monaco Grand Prix and his staff is negotiating with Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff.
“Naturally, in contract negotiations, there’s all the time going to be hypothesis,” Hamilton stated. “My staff’s working carefully behind the scenes with Toto. We’re nearly on the finish of getting a contract prepared.”
Hamilton, the F1 record-holder with 103 grand prix wins and 103 pole positions, was requested when he anticipated a contract to be signed.
“That’s what we’re working in the direction of, so hopefully within the coming weeks,” he stated. “I’ve received a fantastic staff within the background doing all of the work.”
Hamilton added he’s relieved he now not does his negotiating.
“Having the staff concentrate on that so I can simply do my job, that’s a a lot better place than I used to be in earlier than,” he stated. “As a result of I bear in mind I used to do my negotiations independently, which was very nerve-racking.”
Hamilton didn’t win a race final 12 months for the primary time in his profession, relationship to 2007. He has not received but this season, both. However he nonetheless believes Mercedes can flip issues round and insists the latest efficiency isn’t weighing on his choice to stick with the staff.
“It doesn’t have a bearing, I believe, as a result of we’re nonetheless a championship-winning staff,” he stated. “It’s simply we’ve had the incorrect automobile. Over the previous two years, some selections have been made that aren’t splendid, and we’re working our method by means of that.”
In the meantime, Ferrari staff principal Frédéric Vasseur dismissed rumors of getting approached Hamilton relating to a possible transfer to his staff subsequent 12 months.
“ completely that, at this stage of the season, you should have every week a unique story. And we’re not sending a suggestion to Lewis Hamilton. So we didn’t do it,” the Frenchman stated. “We didn’t have discussions.”
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, who’s teammates with Carlos Sainz Jr., was requested if he’d like Hamilton as a teammate.
“If I say, ‘Sure,’ I think about it will likely be the title of each newspaper,” Leclerc stated. “Lewis is such an unimaginable driver and has achieved a lot within the sport, so I believe anyone on the grid would like to have Lewis as a teammate, as all people would study lots from him.
“I’m glad the place I’m and (with) Carlos; it’s a fantastic relationship.”
Leclerc, who’s signed with Ferrari by means of the top of this season, stated he’s not began talks on a brand new deal but.
“No talks on renewal now,” he stated. “Nonetheless quite a lot of time.”