Lewis Hamilton has been in the spotlight ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, as rumours swirl over his future in the sport.
With contract negotiations between Hamilton and Mercedes ongoing, it’s not clear where the Brit will be next year or even if he’ll be in the sport,
Reportedly, Hamilton has two options on the table after Red Bull ruled out considering poaching the Brit: A contract extension at Mercedes or a move to Ferrari.
Hamilton’s contract at Mercedes expires at the end of the 2023 season, leaving him free to decided what the future holds, as the Brit targets a record-breaking eighth world championship.
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According to Hamilton and Mercedes, the two sides are working on a deal that could be ready in a matter of weeks but, so far, no agreement has surfaced publicly.
Prior to the Monaco Grand Prix, the Daily Mail reported that Ferrari have directly approached the seven-time world champion to try and secure his services, presenting a £40 million per year deal.
Addressing the rumours about his potential new teammate at Ferrari, Charles Leclerc teased fans and the media by hinting at a partnership with Hamilton.
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Asked what he would look for in a new teammate, Leclerc jokingly turned to Hamilton during the pre-race press conference, simply saying “Hello Lewis!”
Despite the joking and the rumours, Hamilton and Ferrari both officially denied a formal approach had been made, with expectation being that the Brit will extend his current deal with Mercedes.
What seems clear is that Hamilton is not ready to step away from the sport just yet, believing that he still has the skill to fight for the title if he has a competitive car.