Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has insisted that the Italians are not interested in signing Lewis Hamilton, despite reports that the Mercedes driver received an offer recently.
It was reported that Hamilton rejected an offer to join the Maranello-based team, sent directly by Ferrari chairman John Elkann.
Some have also rumoured that Vasseur has tried to convince Hamilton to join the Italians, although the British driver is set on remaining with Mercedes.
Interestingly, Vasseur has insisted that Ferrari aren’t interested in the 103-time race winner, despite the rumours.
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“Well, I think it is the same situation with Lewis that it has been for the last 10 years,” Vasseur said.
“They are in discussion and I don’t know whether there is an issue or not.
“Honestly, I’m not focused at all on this. I’m focused on the development of the team and the discussion is between Lewis and Toto and not myself.”
Hamilton is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, with a new deal for him yet to be confirmed.
Despite this, the general expectation is that the Briton will remain with Mercedes for another two years.
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are also both in need of a new contract soon, as their deals expire at the end of 2024.
Leclerc has reportedly been offered a new deal already, but little has been said about Sainz’s future.
However, Vasseur has insisted that Ferrari are “fully aligned” with the Spaniard and that contract negotiations will begin shortly.
“With Carlos, we are fully aligned,” Vasseur said.
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“We have had a number of times the same question and we always give the same reply: that we have time to discuss, that we still have 18 months of contract in front of us.
“We both want to start the next season with a clear situation and [to do] that we have to take action and a decision before the end of this season.
“We have still four or five months in front of us to decide. But we are fully aligned on this point with Carlos and his management and we will have the discussion soon.”