Hamilton had 'several' Ferrari talks
Nov.18 - Lewis Hamilton has admitted he has spoken with Ferrari chiefs "several times" about potentially joining the Maranello team.
After matching Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher's seven-title record last Sunday, the Mercedes driver told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "I have never really been close to signing for Ferrari.
"We spoke several times but we did not go beyond understanding what options were on the table," Hamilton, who is yet to sign a new deal for 2021, added.
"Our positions never aligned, and I think things always happen for a reason. Honestly, in recent years my contract has always ended in different years from the other drivers."
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says a new contract will finally be discussed with Hamilton "in a few days".
Hamilton sounds happy with the German marque.
"I remember the first time I walked into the factory, I thought 'These people spend money on racing, not on appearance'," said the Briton, who switched from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013.
"I believed in McLaren a lot, but they had certain expectations about how a driver should behave and it clashed with the fact that I have always been a nonconformist.
"Before signing with Mercedes I told them 'Look, I am different to the others. Let me be myself, let me experiment because I have to find out who I am' However, I will help you to grow the brand with young people', and that's what happened," Hamilton added.
6 F1 Fan comments on “Hamilton had 'several' Ferrari talks”
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How can you be yourself if you must still find out who you are?? Very good driver but you will never be in my top 10 list. Sorry...
Hamilton is not Ferrari material.
Ferrari is not Hamilton material
Too much drama with Ferrari. Not just now, but over the years. They don't seem happy unless they have some machavaillian nonsense going on amongst the team.
Too much drama with Ferrari. Not just now, but over the years. They don't seem happy unless they have some machavaillian nonsense going on amongst the team.
Unlikely - not a good fit for team or driver