Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has rejected rumours that Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton could be set to retire from Formula 1 amid speculation over his future.
The Brit has made no secret of his wish to secure a record-breaking eighth world title before he retires from the sport, searching for the best team to provide him with a shot at the championship.
Hamilton had been on course to secure a historic victory in 2021 but was denied the moment in a last lap shootout against Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
The Brit and Mercedes are currently in negotiations over his future at the team, with his contract set to expire at the end of the 2023 season.
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With no deal between Hamilton and the Silver Arrows in sight, the former world champion has been linked with a possible move to Ferrari.
The Daily Mail reported that Hamilton has begun talks with the Italian team through his close ally Ferrari executive chairman John Elkann.
“I’d like him to stay in the sport 100 per cent, 100 per cent… 1,000 per cent!” Domenicali told the Daily Mail.
“I don’t want to give Lewis any advice because that would be disrespectful to Toto [Wolff]. And Lewis has such deep experience that I’m sure he doesn’t need my input because he knows what he wants.
“He loves our sport. He has been in it since he was a child. Now his role in F1 is getting bigger than an F1 world champion, given the way he gets involved in a lot of things outside the sport and takes an active role in society. He takes us towards new dimensions.
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“But his love is Formula One, and, of course, he wants to achieve his dream of being the only driver to have won an eighth title.”
Mercedes will be hoping to retain Hamilton’s services by showing they are capable of competing, once again, for championships.
The team will be bringing a slate of upgrades to the W14 at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, where they will be optimistic Hamilton can use his skill and experience to get back to the front of the grid.