Lewis Hamilton was reportedly offered £40m to join Ferrari but the Italian’s team principal turned it down; Hamilton has been with Mercedes since 2013 and his future has been a major talking point this month; watch the Monaco GP live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend
Last Updated: 25/05/23 1:52pm
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sky F1’s Naomi Schiff is excited at the thought of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s possible move to Ferrari
Sky F1’s Naomi Schiff is excited at the thought of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s possible move to Ferrari
Ferrari has not made an offer to Lewis Hamilton, said team principal Frederic Vasseur.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Ferrari had made a £40m offer to Hamilton, with the seven-time world champion now set to become a free agent for 2024 due to his Mercedes contract expiring at the end of this time.
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are both contracted to stay at Ferrari next year.
“As a joke I can say that two weeks ago you sent Sainz to Audi, a week ago you sent Leclerc to Mercedes – now I’m alone,” said Vasseur ahead of today’s Monaco GP week.
“You know absolutely that in this period of time every week you have a different story and we didn’t send an offer to Lewis Hamilton, we didn’t do it.”
Asked if he had spoken to Hamilton, or had he, Vasseur replied: “We don’t have discussions. put it this way.
“When I talk about Hamilton, for the last 20 years I’ve talked almost every weekend with Hamilton, I don’t want to stop to talk to him because you’re chasing me.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater examines the impact Mercedes’ new upgrades could have, as the first photos emerge of their revamped car
Why would Hamilton leave now?
Hamilton is fourth in the drivers’ championship after five races of the 2023 season, 63 points behind leader Max Verstappen, but 12 points and 22 points ahead of Ferrari’s Sainz and Leclerc.
Mercedes also leads Ferrari by 18 points in the constructors’ championship, but the latter has pole position.
Sky Sports F1’s Simon Lazenby questions why Hamilton wants to join a team that is currently further away from the championship race than it is now.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sky F1’s Simon Lazenby asks if Lewis Hamilton thinks his best chance of winning an eighth world title is with Ferrari.
“Looking at the first five races of the season, I think why would he bother moving now?” he said.
“It’s not like anyone, apart from Aston Martin, has won. Christian Horner said after the race in Miami ‘where are the others?’.
“I understand the appeal of Ferrari, but if you look at them over the last 15 years they have been serial underachievers – they are a team in constant transition. While Mercedes have the pedigree, they made a philosophical mistake and now they ‘re in transition – maybe that transition period lasts last year, this year and they know they’re a year later when these upgrades bring them to the point where they’re on a track that they can play in the battle of progress with Red Bull from the start of next season.
“It’s almost a Hobson’s choice for Lewis – why not stay with the team that brought you all the success instead of risking just saying ‘I’m a Ferrari driver’ for a point in your career when they have a quick car on Saturday. and they don’t on Sunday.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz believes Lewis Hamilton still believes he can win a record eighth Formula 1 world title
Sky Sports F1The live schedule of the Monaco GP
Friday May 26
10.05am: F3 Qualifying
12pm: Monaco GP Practice One (session starts 12.30pm)
2.05pm: F2 Qualifying
3.45pm: Monaco GP Practice Two (session starts 4pm)
5.30pm: The F1 Show: Monaco
Saturday May 27
9:55 am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Monaco GP Practice Three (session starts 11.30am)
1:30pm: F2 Sprint
2.30pm: Monaco GP Qualifying Build-up
3pm: Monaco GP Qualifying
4.45pm: Ted’s Qualification Notebook
Sunday May 28
7.15am: F3 Feature Race
8:45 am: F2 Feature Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday Monaco GP build-up
2pm: THE MONACO GRAND PRIX
4pm: Checkered Flag Monaco GP reaction
5pm: Ted’s notebook
5:30pm: The 107th Indy 500
Formula 1 now heads to the streets of Monaco for the sixth Grand Prix of the 2023 season – watch all the action on Sky Sports F1 from May 26-28. Taking over Sky Sports
