'Never know why': Lewis Hamilton's astonishing Ferrari confession

Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton says he has often wondered why has hasn't had the chance to drive for Ferrari during his glittering motorsport career.

Hamilton, who equalled Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher with seven world championship victories after taking out the 2020 crown, has driven only for McLaren and Mercedes since his 2008 debut.

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Though his switch to Mercedes ahead of the 2013 season has undoubtedly paid dividends since, with six drivers and constructors championships, Hamilton admitted that, like most other drivers, the mind occasionally wandered towards the prancing horse.

In an interview with Sky Sports Italia, Hamilton said it was the 'dream' of every driver to one day race for Ferrari - such is the iconic brand's standing in motorsport.

The chances of that every coming to pass are unlikely however, with the 36-year-old Hamilton agreeing to stay with Mercedes until the end of the 2023 season.

Barring an unlikely late-career switch, the deal makes Hamilton likely to end his career with his highly successful Mercedes partnership intact.

Nevertheless, Hamilton couldn't help but wonder aloud what might have been.

“For many years, when I came to Monza, walking next to the fans... I could hear them saying ‘Come to Ferrari!’” Hamilton said.

“This warmed my heart. But it's pretty amazing that I've never driven for Ferrari in so many years. Because it is a dream for anyone, a goal to be achieved.

“It has never really been possible and I will never quite know exactly why. I wish them the best and in my near future I will continue to prevent them from winning the world championship.

He added: “I’ve seen photos of their drivers and red is always red. I have a couple of Ferraris at home. I can drive those, but not the Ferrari F1.”

Hamilton claimed the 100th victory of his F1 career last weekend, winning a thrilling rain-affected grand prix at the Sochi Autodrome in Russia.

The British star benefitted from a late-race downpour which caught out race-leader Lando Norris, allowing Hamilton to seize victory in the dying laps.

Lewis Hamilton backed to win 120 F1 grands prix

Formula One motorsport executive Ross Brawn has backed Lewis Hamilton to reach 120 victories after the British star brought up his century in Russia.

The seven-time world champion took advantage of a dramatic rain-hit conclusion to Sunday's race at Sochi's Olympic Park to record the landmark haul and assume control of his title battle with Max Verstappen.

Hamilton, 36, levelled Michael Schumacher's tally of 91 victories last October, and a year on has moved nine ahead of the German driver.

Hamilton put pen-to-paper on a two-year contract extension earlier this season - and Brawn, who was integral in persuading him to leave McLaren for Mercedes - has predicted he could push the record out of sight.

"One hundred is a milestone no one thought anyone would ever reach," said Brawn, technical director of Ferrari when Schumacher dominated the sport at the turn of the century.

"Michael's tally of 91 was so far ahead of what anyone else had ever done at that point that it never seemed conceivable that anyone would get near it.

"But then Lewis beat it - and now Lewis has 100 wins. There is nothing stopping him.

"Who knows where it's going to end up? I don't think we could predict 200 wins, but I think we could certainly predict 20 more as he's still massively competitive and motivated.

"It's just staggering as it's a centenary that no-one ever thought would be achieved."

Hamilton will head to the 16th round of a scheduled 22 in Turkey a week on Sunday holding a two-point advantage over Verstappen in his quest for a record-breaking eighth crown.

Hamilton's Red Bull rival drove from last to second, elevated up the order in the closing stages after he took an early decision to switch from slick to wet tyres.

With AAP

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