'We have agreed': Mercedes' staggering Hamilton-to-Ferrari revelation
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have discussed the possibility of the five-time Formula One champion one day racing for Ferrari and such a move would be no drama, team boss Toto Wolff has said.
Hamilton, 34, has a contract with Mercedes until the end of 2020, by which time he could have equalled Ferrari great Michael Schumacher's unprecedented seven titles and broken other records.
"You have to simply acknowledge that probably it’s in every driver’s head to drive at Ferrari one day," Wolff told reporters at the Spanish Grand Prix.
"It’s the most iconic, historic Formula One brand out there and I totally respect if a driver has the desire to drive at Ferrari.
"Even within the team we have discussed it and with Lewis we have discussed it and we have agreed on the topic," added the Austrian.
"We had the discussion when we negotiated the last contract and I think that you just have to be open-minded and understand that drivers will explore opportunities that exist and benchmark themselves."
Wolff said there was no suggestion at present that the Briton wanted to move – an unlikely scenario in the wake of another Mercedes one-two finish and more Ferrari disappointment in Spain.
Hamilton has won four of his titles with the German manufacturer after his first, in 2008, with McLaren.
"I think we are providing him with a car that is capable of achieving his objectives. If we continue to have a car that is performing on that level I think there is no reason to go and we would really love him to stay," said Wolff.
"And if one day ways part, it will be very positive and each of us will try to achieve success with a different setup. So no drama."
Hamilton's boyhood idol Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian triple champion who died 25 years ago, had expressed a desire to race for Ferrari but never felt they could offer a winning car.
Ferrari last won a drivers' title in 2007 with Kimi Raikkonen, and have been eclipsed this season by Mercedes, who have racked up one-two finishes in the first four races after winning both championships for the past five years.
Asked about any Mercedes interest in Ferrari's four times champion Sebastian Vettel, Wolff said: "Why not Sebastian?
"I think you need to consider there are probably six or seven drivers out there that have the skill and the intelligence to deserve to be in a race and championship-winning car," he added.
"Two of them are with us and I hope it goes forever. There are a few others that we really enjoy watching perform. And Sebastian is definitely one of them."
Not in the fight
Ferrari had hoped to step up and take the fight to dominant Mercedes at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday but ended up with their weaknesses exposed and even further off the pace.
Team boss Mattia Binotto said the experience would ultimately make Ferrari stronger but the disappointment was evident.
Mercedes have now won the first five races one-two while Ferrari have taken just three third places and were off the podium entirely at the Circuit de Catalunya, behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
"Before we judge our performance, I think compliments to Mercedes. They have been really very strong so far in the season," Binotto told reporters, with drivers Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc alongside.
"On our side, we can work very hard and well and the season is still long. We will never give up. I think that is our approach."
Binotto said there was much for Ferrari, who brought upgrades to the first round of the traditional European season, to learn.
"We are disappointed for the race, disappointed for the performance in the weekend. Our hope was to deliver more," he added.
"We brought some upgrades, aero and engine, and were expecting somehow to be in the fight but it has not been the case.
"I think power-wise, straight line speed, we are good enough but certainly we have some weaknesses on the car that were highlighted this weekend. It's up to us try to understand and assess and to improve in the future."
with Reuters