[gmsabu]
Lewis Hamilton says he hasn’t ruled out driving for Ferrari in the future and many of their fans have encouraged him to join the team.
Although Hamilton has been booed by some in the crowd following his recent victories at Monza, the Mercedes driver says he has also had positive comments from Ferrari fans.
“I’m very lucky, I do have a good Italian following. I think Germany’s maybe the biggest area where my clothes sell but Italy also is one of the bigger areas, maybe just because they’re really into fashion and like good clothes. But I think it’s grown a lot over the years. It takes a long time to shift perception.
“You still come here and stand on top of the podium and 90-plus percent is all Ferrari fans and often they come here and I’ve made the weekend not so great for Ferrari fans by having Mercedes on the top step. But I appreciate and respect them a huge amount.“In fact when I now come a lot of Ferrari fans ask me to come to Ferrari so it’s quite cool. I get a lot of messages from Ferrari fans who say ‘I’m a Ferrari fan but I respect you’. So I think it’s growing slowly, bit by bit. It’ll never be the same as if I was driving for the Ferrari team but nonetheless, bit by bit, it’s shifting.”
Hamilton has started all of his 242 grands prix with a Mercedes engine and is contracted to the team until the end of the 2020 F1 season. But he hasn’t ruled out seeking a drive at Ferrari one day.
“When you’re part of Mercedes you’re part of a family for a lifetime,” he said. “Providing you stay with them, obviously.
“If you look at Stirling Moss, [Juan Manuel] Fangio who are still honoured within the family, you’re part of the history and they look after you for the rest of your life. That’s important to me. Loyalty is a very key part.
“If there’s a point in my life where I decide I want to change then that potentially could be an option. But I don’t know if that is at the moment.”
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2019 F1 season
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Brolloks (@brolloks)
5th September 2019, 18:52
I have never met, seen, or heard of any Ferrari fan desirous of Hamilton going to Maranello.
NewVerstappenFan (@jureo)
6th September 2019, 6:26
Here is one!
I would love to see Hamilton in Maranello. And that is very quickly before Verstappen becomes unbeatable.
I think Hamilton would just about be good enough to win a championship for the red team.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
6th September 2019, 7:32
Newverstappen fan is not a ferrari fan.
I would like to see Ham at Ferrari, it would make watching sky less sufferable.
CHIKANO (@chikano)
6th September 2019, 8:13
@brolloks
Are you sure? Keeping an eye on ALL of them must be hard, but are you sure you haven’t heard anything ?
Matteo (@m-bagattini)
6th September 2019, 8:49
We hate our opponents with all our hearts. The same heart we give him the moment he wears our colors.
It’s a fairly easy concept: here, we love Ferrari and cherish who’s driving now and who drove in the past. That’s it. And never a driver can think to be more important than the team.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
6th September 2019, 15:54
@brolloks
From a die hard Ferrari fan, Lewis’s bright yellow helmet will look insane in a red car !
Tango (@tango)
5th September 2019, 18:58
If I were a Ferrari fan I’d want Ham and/or Verstappen in the car.
bob (@riptide)
5th September 2019, 19:04
If Leclerc keeps improving the way he has they won’t need a Max or Lewis.
Jan
6th September 2019, 0:23
Agree. Ferrari has stated LeClerc is doing better than expected and are supposedly drawing yo a contract with him that will be through 2024 and they would be foolish not too.
I think he is under the radar in a sense because VER is a more controversial figure. His car failed failed him in Bahrain depriving him of his first victory and questionable strategy by Ferrari has prevented him from garnering a substantial amount of points.
LEC’s pundits claim he makes too many mistakes but this is his first year racing for Red which is arguably the most stressful seat in F1. Max is in his 5th season and although he has cut his mistakes drastically so far this year, he has made some.
Most likely one of these two will dethrone HAM if they can get the machinery to do so. I hope it’s sooner than later as Mercedes has had it too easy for far too long.
NewVerstappenFan (@jureo)
6th September 2019, 6:40
This is his first Ferrari year yes. And he handily out-qualified Seb Vettel last 6 races in a row.
Sebastian we all know was a qualifier of historic proportions. So that is quite an achievement, no matter how bad the car is or unsuitable, you need to be fast to beat Seb in quali.
Sven (@crammond)
5th September 2019, 19:41
@tango I’d take Ham and Leclerc, please. Verstappen and Leclerc is 2nd choice… either way, Leclerc is set in. If any Ferrari-leadership personnel is letting him go, that leadership personnel would have to go soon after.
Danny
6th September 2019, 0:40
I think VET will remain at Ferrari even if LEC becomes the number 1 driver.
He and LEC seem to work well together and for all his mistakes, VET is still a very good driver, is respected by Red and they have the money to pay him.
They make a formidable team – it could be argued the best. I don’t think VET is quitting but it remains to be seen.
I can’t see VER or HAM getting a seat as the former would create too much tension (such as ALO vs HAM) and the latter has already been told politely no thanks.
I believe it will be VET and LEC for a few more years.
Islander
5th September 2019, 20:59
Just an opinion, but I kinda think Lewis would find Ferrari pressure tough to handle. He is an emotional rather than a ‘cool’ nature.
Ver is a different personality. He would fare much better and I think with Max we’re looking at the next Ferrari champ in 2021…
Prab
5th September 2019, 21:41
Yes he did crumble against Alonso in 2007. Or maybe that was no pressure at all. Either way, you are the expert!
Niefer (@niefer)
5th September 2019, 23:31
C’mon, don’t be like that. Clearly Islander refers to the need HAM has to be nurtured uninterruptedly. A really fair assessment when you look to what’s happening to VET, another one who has the same need.
mmertens (@mmertens)
6th September 2019, 1:58
To be honest, that year he crumbled in China, and lost a championship. And even now, it’s easy to see him complaining and losing his focus when things go out of his way. Ex: Australia’s 2018 race or Hockenheim when things got wrong. So it’s a fair assumption to think that he might also feel or be affected by Ferrari pressures.
mmertens (@mmertens)
6th September 2019, 1:59
That reply was to Prob comment!
Tom Johnson
6th September 2019, 18:01
Nonsense! It was Ron Dennis and Mclaren that crumbled. Leaving a novice out on worn tyres against the advice of Bridgestone.
Adrian Hancox (@ahxshades)
5th September 2019, 19:30
Something to do when he is bored of Winning I guess :)
Robbie (@robbie)
5th September 2019, 19:36
Lol love how the pic selected has him wearing red for the occasion.
I think that LH will of course just take it one contract at a time. I predict he’ll re-sign with Merc next year if not this year for some years beyond 2020, but who knows right? But why not, since they’re so good and they’re his family? Maybe Mercedes won’t be nearly as dominant in the next gen, and certainly I think Liberty/Brawn would prefer that in the new era we no longer have these long runs of team/driver domination, and that it gets mixed up much more. It should become harder for one team to dominate.
But anyway if it were to happen and let’s say come 2023 LH feels the need for change, or Ferrari is looking to be the team to beat, it would be massive news and hugely exciting for F1, and very very interesting to see LH at Ferrari.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
5th September 2019, 19:48
It would be neat to see Hamilton at Ferrari, but given Ferrari’s organizational woes, I hope he goes there with balanced expectations.
The good thing would be that he spends only the latter part of his career there after having established his credentials, rather than spending his prime there (like Alonso).
petebaldwin (@)
5th September 2019, 19:53
It’d be really fun to see but Hamilton would have to be crazy to leave Mercedes to join Ferrari! Unless Mercedes pull out of F1, he’ll drive for them until he retires.
Magnus Rubensson (@)
5th September 2019, 20:09
He might want the challenge of going for a title with a third team.
DAllein (@)
5th September 2019, 20:02
He can say it, it doesn’t matter.
They are incompatible, and that is the end of the story. He knows it, they know it. End of story.
Besides, Lewis came to Mercedes to build a legacy, for team and himself, – he is doing just, and there’s no reason for him to leave his legacy and join Ferrari for some final years to do just “something” – because with them he won’t be building anything, won’t be conquering the world, won’t be himself.
Anything he can achieve with Ferrari will never be even remotely comparable to his Mercedes achievements.
Dean
5th September 2019, 20:22
+ 10 – couldn’t agree more and I’ll just add… Lewis Would taint his career driving for those basket cases.
I’m a Lewis fan and I’d support him whatever but Ferrari?? Nah! Please dont ever do that Lewis.
Mr G
6th September 2019, 22:53
Wow what superficial comments…Typical HAM fans really. How about a challenge or is his ‘stats’ the only measure of greatness? Facepalm.
Gabriel (@rethla)
5th September 2019, 20:10
Alot of F1 fans want Hamilton to have Leclerc/Verstappen as teammate, the team doesnt matter.
JMDan (@danmar)
5th September 2019, 20:11
Don’t know why he’d want to involve himself with the drama queen of F1. I would be satisfied knowing that I could have made the team and keep my sanity. The pay would probably be really good though.
Dale
5th September 2019, 20:14
Which Hamilton fan in a borrowed Ferrari shirt told him this fairy tale?
Samouri (@samouri)
5th September 2019, 23:30
Dale….I read of one Ferrari fan, who would have liked to have seen Lewis in red. It was the late Ferrari President Sergio Marchionne who admitted when he said, ” It would be a privilege for Lewis Hamilton to retire from F1 racing after racing for Ferrari.”
Jon (@johns23)
6th September 2019, 8:07
Cmon Dale, you cant tell me they wouldn’t want Lewis in their car.
Bruno Verrari
5th September 2019, 20:55
Stay put or retire but DO NOT JOIN Scuderia Verrari!
John H (@john-h)
5th September 2019, 20:57
He’ll be there in 2021. I can totally see this happening with Vettel heading to RB and Max to Mercedes.
georgeboole (@)
5th September 2019, 21:12
Well, unless he has his back covered with someone like Wolff or Brawn he ll never join Ferrari.
Schumacher had one of the greatest teams working for him 24/7 and performed miracles. Hamilton sure wants the same.
As for Verstappen, I think he is better at Red Bull. Their team is much better organised than Ferrari. I m sure he has more chances of becoming a champion with his current team.
Chris Horton
5th September 2019, 21:34
No thanks.
budchekov (@budchekov)
5th September 2019, 22:11
I’d like to see him in MotoGP, riding an MV.
Raven
5th September 2019, 22:21
Here’s hoping Ferrari will never offer him the seat. It was bad enough when they signed up the ridiculously overrated driver known as Sebastian Vettel.
Jason Blankenship (@jblank)
5th September 2019, 23:37
I just want him to quit F1.
Anthony
6th September 2019, 3:22
That’s exactly how felt about Usain Bolt. But I feel exactly the opposite with LH. Hope he continues until they disqualify him from competition or F1 folds.
bob (@riptide)
6th September 2019, 7:26
Yes, your boy will never win anything with Hamilton the grid will he.
Anom
5th September 2019, 23:38
He will try to go to Ferrari if they have the dominant car. Classic Lewis.
bob (@riptide)
6th September 2019, 7:31
Yes, we all know he only went to Mercedes because they were dominating 5th place at the time. And he only signed for McLaren at 12 because he knew they would be the dominant car a decade later.
Mr G
6th September 2019, 22:55
And a classic defensive HAM fan reply to boot lol :)
Niefer (@niefer)
5th September 2019, 23:40
He has absolutely nothing to gain heading there. It would be better to go back home and make McLaren win again. That surely would be a greater legacy than going to pay tribute to the myth only to be another champ hindered by it.
Glamo
5th September 2019, 23:55
Talks as though they would ever need or want him!
Dom (@3dom)
6th September 2019, 0:32
They needed him last season
Keith Campbell (@keithedin)
6th September 2019, 1:25
Never say never but I doubt Lewis will ever go to Ferrari. Ignoring all the sporting reasons why Mercedes is likely his best career choice, i also doubt Ferrari would give him the freedom he wants for his lifestyle, allowing him to jet about going to fashion exhibits and music events etc. I think the culture change might be unsettling for him too.
Bulgarian (@bulgarian)
6th September 2019, 5:34
This can happen only if Mercedes leave F1. Until then Lewis and Mercedes team is a perfect combination for either of them.
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
6th September 2019, 6:27
I would like to see him finish his career at Ferrari.
When he is good and ready to that is.
Love them or loath them Ferrari are an iconic marque and it would just feel right to me that one of the all time greats spends at least one season in the scarlet seat.
Jon (@johns23)
6th September 2019, 8:04
Its a no brainer, if he’s available, all teams would give anything to have Hamilton in their car. It would be amazing if he ever did go to Ferrari though
CHIKANO (@chikano)
6th September 2019, 8:24
Imagine the meltdown from haters and fans if Ham wins a championship in a Ferrari when Vettel, Alonso couldn’t
AMG44 (@amg44)
6th September 2019, 8:34
Well if Ferrari is interested to win the championship…
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
6th September 2019, 16:12
Lewis is in a win win situation here. Whenever he is in a negotiation with Mercedes, he brings the Ferrari interest on the table and who can blame him btw. Mercedes has to accept Lewis’s terms or lose him to Ferrari. Ferrari will be delighted to have a driver with Lewis’s caliber in their car.
From a sporting standpoint, it’s true that Ferrari has been struggling to win a WDC in the last decade but they were also runner up many times and sometimes were close (2008//2010/2012/2017/2018) so Lewis will be on constant pressure to deliver and if he fails to win the WDC it will not be a disaster. On the other hand, if he wins the WDC with Ferrari, he will cement his status as probably one of the greatest ever (he is already one of the greats in my opinion).
As for Ferrari, this will be similar to the CR7 operation for Juventus. Lewis will represent a great marketing platform for the FCA group with his millions of followers around the world. The FCA group already produces great products (Alfa & Maserati) that needs marketing especially in the US and Lewis will be a great opportunity in with this regard.
Ronak Gill
4th October 2019, 14:36
Yes , I being a huge fan for Ferrari since long & also its very powerfull brand in automobile industry . I also agree that Lewis hamilton is the best driver in the world he wins almost all the races for Mercedes . Now , I want him to start with Ferrari and win races for Ferrari .
In the end i would say hopefully Lewis Hamilton will deffinetly someday he will drive for Ferrari .
cheers