NEW DELHI: Reports have emerged stating that Ferrari is making preparations to entice Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, with a staggering $50 million offer to depart from Mercedes and join the Scuderia at the conclusion of the current season.
Despite Hamilton repeatedly expressing his intentions to re-sign with Mercedes once his contract expires, the Daily Mail has reported that Ferrari President John Elkann has been engaging in frequent communication with the British driver.
Hamilton, who currently shares the prestigious record of seven championships with the legendary Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher, narrowly missed out on securing his eighth title in the final race of the 2021 season.
This loss came as Max Verstappen, representing Red Bull, emerged as a dominant force in Formula 1 over the past two years, heading towards his third consecutive world championship.
It remains to be seen how these developments will play out, as the allure of Ferrari and the opportunity to surpass Schumacher's record could potentially sway Hamilton's decision.
Fans and experts alike eagerly await news of Hamilton's future plans and whether he will continue his illustrious career with Mercedes or embark on a new chapter with the iconic Scuderia Ferrari.
Meanwhile, Mercedes has struggled to keep pace. That has led to speculation that the Brit may be more open to a move to Ferrari, where current drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are under contract through 2024.
In a scenario where Hamilton makes a move to Ferrari, it raises the question about the Scuderia's current driver lineup. The team has reportedly begun contract negotiations with Leclerc, but the possibility of a swap with Leclerc going to Mercedes and Hamilton teaming with Sainz at Ferrari has emerged in rumor circles.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was recently asked about Leclerc, but insisted that his focus remains on re-signing Hamilton.
"Nobody doubts Charles' ability and he is a good guy," Wolff said at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last month. "He is 100 percent committed to Ferrari and we are 100 percent committed to putting pen to paper with Lewis."
For his part, Hamilton has also remained consistent in his stance that he intends to remain with Mercedes.
"I'd be lying if I said I'd never thought about ending my career anywhere else," Hamilton said at the Miami Grand Prix earlier this month. "I started at McLaren, I'd like to think I'll always be a part of the McLaren family, I started there when I was 13 years old, so I thought about what it would look like if I was at McLaren one day.
"I thought about and watched the Ferrari drivers on the screens at the track and of course you wonder what it would be like to be in red. But then I go to my team, to Mercedes, and this is my home.
"I'm happy where I am. I haven't signed a contract yet, but we are working on one."
(With Reuters inputs)
