Lewis Hamilton has ruled out a move to Ferrari as he has too much loyalty to his current employers.
The Briton has been on the payroll at Mercedes for almost a decade after a dramatic switch from McLaren, who had given him his first shot in Formula 1. Since then he has won six world titles and contributed to one of the most successful dynasties in the sport's history.
Now in the twilight of his incredible career, and with Mercedes struggling for performance, there are question marks over Hamilton's future. Aged 37, retirement in the next year or two is a possibility, while there have also been suggestions that he might embark one one last fresh adventure before leaving the sport.
He has long been linked with a move to Ferrari, ever since he revealed publicly that he had been a fan of the Italian team as a child. But the man from Stevenage has ruled out a move to the Maranello-based constructors once and for all, stating his desire to see out his career with his current employers.
"Of course it would be nice to race for Ferrari during my career, but things happen because of a reason," he said in an interview with Italian outlet Corriere della Sera , after pointing out he had been tattooed with the word "loyalty".
"Mercedes is my family. I will always be a Mercedes driver, just like Stirling Moss."
Despite the struggles the Silver Arrows are enduring this season, Hamilton says he still has faith that they will be able to fight at the front of the grid again soon. "I've been with these guys for ten years," he added.
"I know how they work and the type of culture – no processes, we win and we lose together. They are highly motivated, they will give their souls to bring us back up.
"Of course I believe [he can win an historic eighth world title]. It is not just a question of records, of sporting titles. I want to win to carry out all the behind-the-scenes work for equality. F1 is no longer what it used to be – they set up garages, we raced and then we went home. Now it is a source of inspiration, it helps to form opinions."
