Former Ferrari and Williams team manager Peter Windsor believes Lewis Hamilton only really has Mercedes as an option for 2024, with a move to Red Bull not being on the cards.
It’s widely expected that the seven-time World Champion will remain with the Silver Arrows next season, with a new contract reportedly being on the verge of being signed.
Somewhat concerningly though, it was several weeks ago that team principal Toto Wolff revealed that a new deal was “days” away from being signed, making many question what’s holding up an announcement.
Some ponder if the 103-time race winner is waiting to see if Mercedes’ performance improves, given that he currently doesn’t have machinery good enough to challenge Red Bull or Max Verstappen.
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He has been linked to Ferrari this year, but that rumour was quashed by both parties, with that arguably not being a good move for the driver if he wants an eighth title.
Ferrari are currently behind the Silver Arrows in the pecking order, meaning a move to Maranello could be a step backwards for the Stevenage-born driver.
With a move to Red Bull being unrealistic and too expensive, remaining at Mercedes is his only option, should he want to stay at the pinnacle of motorsport.
“Then if he doesn’t go to Ferrari and all the chaos, where is he going to go? He’s not going to get a Red Bull seat so he might as well stay where he is,” Windsor said on his YouTube channel.
“Obviously he did work with Fred Vasseur in his Formula 3 days and knows him and Fred would have put out the feelers to him.
“I think Lewis is sort of talking himself into staying at Mercedes, isn’t he?”
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Hamilton heads to the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend looking to replicate his podium at the British Grand Prix, which was actually his 14th in front of his home crowd.
The Mercedes driver is the most successful driver in the history of the sport at the Hungaroring, where like the Silverstone International Circuit, he’s claimed victory eight times.
A ninth win will probably be too big of an ask this weekend, but a podium is certainly achievable.