Lewis Hamilton is close to a new deal with Mercedes. The seven-time world champion refers rumors about a move to Ferrari to the realm of fables.
“I think people got bored because that race in Imola was canceled last week. So then that story was written,” Hamilton explained in Monaco on Thursday in the article of the Daily Mail in which he was linked to the Italian team. “The writer of that piece is sitting here in the room,” the Briton added at a press conference.
Hamilton’s agents have been negotiating a new contract with Mercedes for some time. His current two-year contract expires this season. “Normally I always did these conversations myself, but I found that quite stressful. Now it’s being done for me. And we’re almost there.”
For the 38-year-old Englishman it was logical that the rumors about Ferrari were now circulating. “When you are negotiating, there is always speculation. But as long as you don’t hear it from me, that’s all it is. There has been no contact with Ferrari.”
‘We are still a champion team’
Mercedes’ current form does not deter Hamilton. “I think we are still a championship team. We just have the wrong car because of wrong decisions in the last two years. But the team is working hard, we have an update of the car this week.”
Actually, this update was already planned for Imola. The W14 has new sidepods that are more in line with the rest of the field. There is also a new floor and a new front suspension that looks more like that of the successful Red Bull.
“I was therefore disappointed that the race was canceled last week, because I wanted to try the new parts,” said the impatient Hamilton. “We have them here in Monaco now, although this is not an ideal circuit for updates. Hopefully next week in Barcelona we will have a better picture.”
Timetable GP Monaco
- Friday 13:30-14:30: First free practice
- Friday 5-6pm: Second free practice
- Saturday 12.30-1.30 pm: Third free practice
- Saturday 4-5 pm: Qualification
- Sunday 3 p.m.: Race
