With Lewis Hamilton’s future at Mercedes in doubt, as contract negotiations rumble on, former Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger has proposed that the seven-time world champion could get back in the title fight if he moved to a new team.
Berger, who raced for Ferrari in the 1987-89 seasons, has suggested that moving to the Italian team could be the key Hamilton needs to get back in the hunt for a record-breaking eighth world title.
“Every racing driver wants to drive for Ferrari at least once,” Berger said.
“Ayrton Senna didn’t go because he knew he couldn’t win there.
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“It may be that Lewis thinks that too.
“But if he can’t get a competitive car at Mercedes, and he doesn’t see a place at Red Bull, it could be that he thinks ‘I don’t want to stop just yet so I’ll give Ferrari a try. Maybe I can fix it’,” he explained.
With Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc locked into contracts at Ferrari for the coming seasons, Hamilton would need a driver swap or other departure for a seat to open up.
“I suppose it’s down to what happens at Mercedes,” former racing driver Johnny Herbert told the London Evening Standard.
“Can they turn it around? If that doesn’t work and Lewis still has the fire in his belly and thinks this is not the place for him where does he go?
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“Would he go to Ferrari?,” the ex-drvier mused.
Even if a seat did become available at Ferrari, Hamilton could face opposition from other drivers on the grid who might be seeking a fresh start.
McLaren’s Lando Norris has been floated as a possible addition to Ferrari should the opportunity arise, as his current team is failing to offer him a shot at a race win, let alone a title.