British tabloid claims that Lewis Hamilton is in talks to make a £40m ($50m) move to Ferrari next season.

The seven-time champion has been linked with the Maranello outfit for some time, and while he has previously admitted that it is every driver's dream to wear the colours of the Scuderia, he has always insisted that he will see out his career with Mercedes.

The Briton's contract with the German team is in its final year, and despite positive noises from both he and team boss, Toto Wolff there has been no sign of the traditional 'announce'.

The usual suspects in the world of click-bait have been linking Hamilton with Ferrari for some time, whilst also claiming that Charles Leclerc is looking to leave, possibly to Mercedes, however few have paid any real attention to the speculation, after all, based on the current evidence for both drivers it would appear to be a case of jumping from the frying pan straight into the fire.

Leclerc is slowly learning what the likes of Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel learned before him, and even though we all remember Ferrari's last golden era, Michael Schumacher spent four-long seasons at Maranello before it all came good.

The Mail claims that Ferrari chairman, John Elkann is in close contact with Hamilton, but there is no clue as to who he would replace, Leclerc and Carlos Sainz both having another season on their contracts.

When asked about the Mercedes rumours in Miami, and whether he had spoken to Wolff, Leclerc said: "No... Zero... Zero... Really zero!

The assembled media clearly unconvinced by his reply, he said: "You all smile because you don't believe me, but I promise... "I'm fully committed to Ferrari and I love Ferrari. It has always been a dream for me to be in this team and my main priority is to win a world championship with this team. So it's not something in my mind."

When asked if preliminary talks had taken place, he replied: "No, not yet... not for the moment. For now, I am fully focused on the project I am in today, which is Ferrari and I fully trust and am confident for the future. Then we will see, but I am fully confident for the project of Ferrari."

"The only time I talked with him is when we discussed where the gate is in Melbourne to board the plane," said Wolff, when asked about Leclerc.

"Charles is a super guy," he added, "and for the long-term future someone you have to have on your radar but not for the short and medium term.

"Nobody doubts Charles' ability and he is a good guy. He is 100 per cent committed to Ferrari and we are 100 per cent committed to putting pen to paper with Lewis."

No doubt Stefano Domenicali and the gang would love to see it happen.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by gator, 23/05/2023 19:39

"Ferrari already have young guns, the car is the problem for 18yrs. They make the wrong call almost ever race, facts prove it out."

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2. Posted by MVR, 23/05/2023 14:07

"@BrightonCorgi

Agree. However, that may be more likely due to the lack of a winning car."

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3. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 23/05/2023 11:04

"Ferrari's current lineup does not get the tifosi in a frenzy like some of the drivers they had in the past. "

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4. Posted by Max Noble, 23/05/2023 9:31

"I’d *pay* Ferrari $1,000 a month to drive for them… would that help with the cost cap…?
Seriously click-bait universe…. Why would this happen? (Lewis, not me).
…then again often in F1 when the denials are flowing thick, and fast… that’s where the truth is hiding…
Plus the mighty Dr. L always told us to follow the money… If Ferrari have actually stumped up a fantastical number Lewis might take it.

Consider…
1. George is faster than I’d like… ouch.
2. I like new shiny things, but not the 2023 Mercedes. Horrid.
3. I do look good in red.
4. Every car lover has at least one Ferrari in their fantasy garage.
5. I can blame my declining speed on the Ferrari, not my age, as no one expects me to go there and win.
6. Charles is so grumpy with the team he is going to do a Vettel, and I can get Zhou as my team mate, as Ferrari want more sales in that region…
7. Sainz who?

So it could make twisted logic if you just follow the cash… or it is the usual click bait trash….

…yes. That is a bet each way… Thank-you.

"

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5. Posted by VC10-1103, 22/05/2023 23:18

"Don’t forget a multiple WC driver was sacked by Ferrari for criticising the car"

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6. Posted by Chester, 22/05/2023 20:23

"Agree @VC10. Would love to see the conversation when LH exited the car after criticizing a Ferrari call. You hit the nail on the head for why a Hamilton/Ferrari match up is prima facie likely a poor one."

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7. Posted by KKK, 22/05/2023 19:55

"Two chances of Lewis going to Ferrari: little anc none!"

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8. Posted by VC10-1103, 22/05/2023 18:47

"It would be worth seeing Lewis in a Ferrari just to listen to the radio calls when he thinks the wrong strategy calls have been made!"

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9. Posted by F1nerd, 22/05/2023 18:19

"I have been a Ferrari fan for many years (40+) but if Ham goes to them that could all change.
I agree with @ChickenFarmer saying his time has come to retire.
There are plenty of "Young Guns" looking to get into Formula 1 so give them a chance."

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10. Posted by ChickenFarmerF1, 22/05/2023 16:00

"The only reason for Hamilton to switch to another team to have a better shot at that record 8th title. I would imaging that Mercedes probably has some hooks in his contract regarding post-F1 career support that would also lose should he jump ship so he won't make such a decision just to be able to finish 2nd or 3rd in the WDC, rather than the current 4th-6th likelihood.

Personally I think he's more likely to retire than move to Ferrari. I stand by my past predictions that once he perceives Mercedes being unable to produce a car capable of him winning the WDC before his body betrays him (which it's already starting to, just as it would for any elite athlete after 35) he will retire. He probably won't slide down the order like Kimi, or Vettle, or Damon Hill."

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11. Posted by JamesD, 22/05/2023 14:17

"Well, if it's in the 'Daily Fail' it must be gospel ... not !!"

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Hamilton in reported £40m move to Ferrari

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