Lewis Hamilton has admitted that linking Ferrari remains a possible alternative for him in the long run but is not sure whether the move is part of his F1″game strategy” – with the Mercedes driver stating that”loyalty is key”.
Although Hamilton is signed up at Mercedes before the end of 2020, a between the world champion along with the sport team has been mooted, although Hamilton has made no secret of his admiration.
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Mercedes even disclosed this past year that Hamilton driving for Ferrari’s possibility was discussed in their contract talks.
Upon coming at Monza, the Scuderia’s famous house F1 track, Hamilton said he still receives messages from Ferrari fans asking him to joinbut had been non-committal over his potential when asked by Sky F1 if the switch”tempts” him.
“I don’t know whether it’s about being tempted, it is all about whether or not it’s a part of the game plan,” replied Hamilton, who subsequently explained how important”background” and”devotion” would be to him in Mercedes, who he included in 2013.
“I was simply asked the question:’How do you feel if you finished your career with no Ferrari?’ . And when you are part of Mercedes you’re a part of a household for a life – providing you stay with them.
“If you look in Stirling Moss, then you have got Juan Manuel Fangio who is still honoured within the household. You’re a part of the history and they care for you.
“That is important to me, loyalty is a very key part.
“However, if there’s some stage in my life in which I decide I need to change, then [Ferrari] possibly could be an option.”
Hamilton added to reporters that Ferrari are currently settled with”two great drivers” at Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc, that he’s been especially impressed with in his rookie year.
“They have two great drivers there today,” said Hamilton. “I am sure they are satisfied with their youthful star that they’ve got coming up and I’m incredibly excited to see how he evolves”
Hamilton is the favorite to maintain that a sixth in 2019, currently holding a 65-point lead with only eight races and has won four of his five names with Mercedes.
Ferrari eventually sealed their first victory of the season last weekend at Belgium but nevertheless return to their home Italian GP under pressure.
The team have not won because 2010 at Monza – by Mercedes winning the past five races there – while their past drivers’ and constructors’ titles arrived in 2008 and 2007 respectively.
Hamilton believes that run is just one reason fans have been calling for his trademark.
“They have never had a championship obviously since 2007 so there’s that yearning that fans have of visiting their favorite team succeed,” he explained.
“I’m sure they are just relating this to the fact that I’ve won the championship the past couple of decades.”
The Tifosi, ferrari’s passionate fans, will be out in force this weekend however, though Hamilton was booed on the podium before, he considers the relationship is improving.
“I think that it’s grown a lot through the years however, it requires a very long time to change perception,” he said.
“We still come here and you stand together with the podium and 90 percent plus are all Ferrari fans. Frequently we’ve come here with Mercedes on the top step and I have made the weekend maybe not so good for Ferrari fans.
“However, I appreciate and admire them a enormous amount and, in actual fact, once I come here lots of Ferrari fans really ask me to visit Ferrari. And I get a lot of Ferrari fans who say,’I’m a Ferrari fan but I respect you’.
“I think it’s growing gradually, bit by little bit. However, it would never be the same as if I had been driving for a Ferrari team.”
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