Lewis Hamilton has reportedly rejected an offer to ditch Mercedes for Ferrari, directly from Ferrari president John Elkann.
The seven-time World Champion has been linked to a switch to Maranello this year, with him still yet to agree to an extension with Mercedes.
It was actually reported earlier in the year by the Daily Mail that Ferrari had offered Hamilton a contract worth £40 million, with the publication having stated that Elkann was in “close contact with Hamilton”.
The deal was supposedly for Hamilton to replace Carlos Sainz, who has been linked to Sauber ahead of their merge with Audi in 2026.
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Both Mercedes and Ferrari denied this; however, it now seems that an actual offer has been sent to the 38-year-old, who politely rejected the deal.
“Hamilton had been contacted personally by [Ferrari president John] Elkann,” wrote respected Italian journalist Leo Turrini in Quotidiano.
“I understand he politely replied ‘no thanks’.
“And you can understand it (unfortunately).”
Hamilton rejecting Ferrari is a clear sign of his intent to remain with Mercedes, something he’s informed the media he’s keen to do.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has also told the media countless times this season that the Silver Arrows are planning for a future with the 103-time race winner, with it being believed that his new deal will be for two seasons.
Hamilton has very much been the lead Mercedes driver this season, having finished behind George Russell in 2022.
The Stevenage-born driver has claimed four podiums from the 12 completed races this season, whereas Russell has finished on the rostrum just once.
As well as that, Hamilton sits 49 points ahead of his British team-mate, who currently languishes down in sixth in the Drivers’ Championship.
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Hamilton on the other hand, sits fourth in the standings and is just a point behind third-placed Fernando Alonso.
Hamilton is keen to claim third in the standings and help Mercedes secure second in the Drivers’ Championship, with that arguably being the best the Brackley-based team can achieve this campaign.
Having reportedly halted development for 2023, it’s unlikely that Mercedes and Hamilton will pressurise Red Bull.