Lewis Hamilton explains why Ferrari “shouldn’t” move to F1

Lewis Hamilton, who is about to sign a new Mercedes deal, talks at length about Ferrari and why a change will never come about; Hamilton has been associated with Ferrari for much of his F1 career but wants to be part of the Mercedes brand “all of his life”

By Matt Morlidge

Last updated: 11/27/20 10:32 AM

Lewis Hamilton says he hopes to be part of Mercedes “forever” and explains that switching to Ferrari used to be a dream, he has now closed the door out of “timing” and because he doesn’t believe “our values.” agree”. “.

Hamilton had been associated with Scuderia for much of his illustrious Formula 1 career, and rumors surfaced about a year ago when it was discovered that the Englishman, considering his options with a Mercedes contract that expires in late 2020, was with him Ferrari boss John Elkann had spoken.

But it never went further, and since then Mercedes and Hamilton have clinched their seventh world championship title, while Ferrari slipped to sixth place in the overall standings. Although Hamilton has yet to sign a new deal with Mercedes, he is ready to commit after the last three races of F1 2020 and spoke extensively about Ferrari in the press conference ahead of the Bahrain GP on Thursday.

“I was never close to leaving my team,” said Hamilton of his conversations in 2019. “I think it’s only right as a driver, as a person, when you look to your next phase and focus on the next stage of the In your life, you need to analyze your options and make sure you do your due diligence and understand the pros and cons.

“I don’t know if our values ​​are aligned and the timing … it just shouldn’t be.”

4:23 Lewis Hamilton admits winning his seventh championship has not yet “crossed his mind” and says he was heartbroken by home support from the UK

Lewis Hamilton admits winning his seventh championship has not yet “crossed his mind” and says he was heartbroken by home support from the UK

Hamilton, who joined Mercedes in 2013 and won six of his seven Formula 1 titles there, added: “I am so grateful for what I have with Mercedes. This is the only team in the history of the sport that you have been with have a long time. ” -life family member, the older big ones have been part of the Mercedes brand all their lives, you are part of the path of evolution, they include you in the family forever.

“This is loyalty that I have tattooed and that is such an important value to me.”

Also referring to his meeting with Elkann in the Italian press recently, Hamilton told La Gazetto Dello Sport: “We have spoken occasionally but we have not understood beyond what options were on the table and they were not the right ones.”

And he went into detail in an interview with GQ about Ferrari, the magazine that named him the “Game Changer of 2020”. Hamilton indicated that Ferrari is not diverse enough.

2:46 Simon Lazenby and Martin Brundle are looking forward to the Bahrain GP this weekend

Simon Lazenby and Martin Brundle are looking forward to the Bahrain GP this weekend

“The Ferrari thing isn’t going to happen … I think,” he said. “I’ve always been positive about Ferrari. I’ve seen Michael win there. I’ve always been a Ferrari fan. I remember one of the first cars I ever bought was a Ferrari. And I think it is an incredibly iconic team and brand – in particular.

“I think the team has in my time … There have been things I’ve seen that don’t necessarily reflect my values ​​or approach. However, it’s a team that every driver, I think, has dreamed of being in sitting red cockpit.

“No disrespect to them, but if I stop I want to work with Mercedes to help them get even better in the outside world. They will always have beautiful cars, but how can we be a more diverse industry?”