Hamilton, Ferrari squash rumors of contract negotiations

F1 driver Lewis Hamilton Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari boss squash rumors of contract negotiations

By Jason Clinkscales | Last updated 5/25/23

Ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, both Lewis Hamilton and Team Ferrari pushed back against rumors that the seven-time world champion would join the red team after his contract with Mercedes expires at the end of the season.

Hamilton spoke with the media on-hand about his ongoing negotiations with Mercedes and addressed gossip about Ferrari. “Naturally when you’re in the contract negotiations, there’s always going to be speculation,” said Hamilton, as told by The Athletic. “I think ultimately, unless you hear from me, then that’s what it is."

He also had a bit of fun with the chatter when asked why were there rumors in the first place:

Lewis Hamilton says he and his team are coming to the end of contract negotiations with Mercedes

As to why there were press speculations about him going to Ferrari? He said, "Last weekend maybe with the race cancelled they got bored" #MonacoGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/Cta8zxypEj
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) May 25, 2023

Meanwhile, the iconic red brand also refuted reports that it made an offer to bring Hamilton aboard. Days ago, the Daily Mail said that Hamilton had already been in close discussions with Ferrari, outlining how that rumored signing would lead to either Charles Leclerc or Carlos Sainz losing their seats.

Mail Sport understands the Italian team are willing to break the bank to land the superstar in a £40 million deal, and offer him the opportunity to eclipse the Scuderia’s greatest hero, Michael Schumacher, who won five of his seven titles with them.

Conversations over the extravagant signing are not only advancing at the highest level in Ferrari, but company president John Elkann is already in close contact with Hamilton.

Technical director Fredric Vassuer flat-out denied the reports, saying "We're not sending an offer to Lewis Hamilton. We didn't do it. We didn't have discussions."

Formula 1 is having its first race since the Miami Grand Prix on May 7th. Last week's race in Imola, what would have been a "home race" for the Italian carmaker was postponed due to floods that devastated the Emilia-Romagna region. Going into Monaco, everyone is chasing Red Bull once again, with Ferrari sitting a distant fourth in the Constructors' Cup standings behind Mercedes. The second-place Hamilton has just 56 points on the year, with third-place Sainz (44) and fifth-place Leclerc (34) trying to keep pace.

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