Lewis Hamilton has confessed that linking Ferrari remains a potential choice for him in the long run but isn’t sure whether the transfer a part of his F1″game plan” – together with the Mercedes driver stating that”devotion is crucial”.
Although Hamilton is signed up at Mercedes a blockbuster link-up involving the world champion and also the sport team has long been mooted, although Hamilton has made no secret of his admiration.
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Mercedes also revealed last year, the possibility of Hamilton driving for Ferrari was discussed in their contract talks.
Upon coming at Monza, the Scuderia’s famous home F1 track, Hamilton said he still receives messages from Ferrari fans requesting him to join, but was non-committal on his potential when asked by Sky F1 if the change”tempts” him.
“I don’t know whether it’s all about being tempted, it’s about whether or not it’s part of the game plan,” answered Hamilton, who then explained how significant”history” and”devotion” are to him at Mercedes, who he included in 2013.
“I was only asked this question:’How do you feel if you finished your career without being Ferrari?’ . And frankly when you are part of Mercedes you are part of a household for a lifetime – giving you stay with them.
“If you take a look in Stirling Moss, then you’ve got Juan Manuel Fangio who is still honoured inside the household. You’re a part of the history and they care for you for the remainder of your life.
“That is important to me, loyalty is a very key part.
“But if there’s a point in my life in which I decide that I want to change, then [Ferrari] possibly could be an option.”
Hamilton added to colleagues that Ferrari are now settled together using”two good drivers” in Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc, who he’s been especially impressed with in his rookie year.
“They’ve got two great drivers there now,” explained Hamilton. “I am sure they are pleased with their new young star they’ve got coming up and now I’m super excited to see how he advances.”
Hamilton is the favorite to maintain a sixth in 2019, currently holding a lead with only eight races and has won four of the five names with Mercedes.
Ferrari sealed their first victory of the season last weekend at Belgium but nevertheless return to their home Italian GP under stress.
The group haven’t won at Monza – with Mercedes winning the last five races there – while their past drivers’ and constructors’ titles came from 2008 and 2007 respectively.
Hamilton considers that run is one of the reasons fans are calling for his signature.
“They’ve not had a championship obviously since 2007 so there is that longing that fans have of seeing their favorite team succeed,” he explained.
“I’m convinced they’re only relating this to the simple fact that I’ve won the championship the past couple of years.”
Ferrari’s fervent lovers, the Tifosi, will probably be out in force this weekend though Hamilton has been booed on the podium before, he considers the relationship is improving.
“I think it’s grown a lot through the years but it takes a very long time to shift awareness,” he said.
“We still come here and you stand on top of the podium and 90 percent and are all Ferrari fans. Often we’ve come here and I have created the weekend maybe not so great for Ferrari lovers by having Mercedes on the step.
“However, I appreciate and admire them a enormous amount and, in reality, if I come here lots of Ferrari fans actually ask me to visit Ferrari. And I get a lot of Ferrari lovers who say,’I’m a Ferrari fan but I admire you’.
“I think it’s growing gradually, bit by bit. However, it would not ever be the same as if I had been driving for a Ferrari team.”
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