Lewis Hamilton is not impacted by speculations of Charles Leclerc and Mercedes, while the Monegasque denies anything happening yet.
Over the three weeks break, there were stories circulating of Leclerc wanting to move out of Ferrari before his contract ends in 2024 after difficult last few years and a slow start to 2023. The reports linked him to a seat at Mercedes in place of Hamilton.
The Brit doesn’t have a contract for 2024 and is likely to negotiate and sign another one but it hasn’t stopped the speculation mill to do its work. For now, though, Hamilton doesn’t feel any impacts with such news circulating as he feels safe at Mercedes.
“No, not really,” said Hamilton. “I think maybe some of the drivers will speak or have relationships with different bosses and stuff. No, I like where I am, I love my team and I think I’m grateful for the journey we’ve been on and what we’re working on moving forward so… doesn’t have any impact, no.”
Before Hamilton responded to the media queries, Leclerc noted of no talks with Mercedes and or Toto Wolff, but in that light discussion he mentioned ‘not yet’, which kept the door open for any future possibilities. For now, he is committed to be at Ferrari.
“No, not yet, not for the moment,” said Leclerc to media. “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. 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. As for the call from Wolff, no. Zero. Zero. Really zero. You all smile because you don’t believe me, but I promise,” summed up Leclerc, as media personnel gave a smile when he answered.
For Ferrari, Leclerc is not the only headache they have amid host of people leaving and their own recruitment process ongoing. But team boss Frederic Vasseur is not in a hurry and states that they will discuss with the Monegasque as the year goes on.
“We’ll do it in the course of the season,” Vasseur said. He’s under contract with us for more than one year now, and we’ll have time to discuss it. I’m not scared at all and I think it’s not the right moment to do.”
Here’s Lewis Hamilton visiting the BTCC race
Here’s George Russell on managing expectations
Here’s Mike Elliott switching places with James Allison
Here’s Ferrari trio on Laurent Mekies’ departure
Here’s Charles Leclerc releasing his first single
Here’s Carlos Sainz on Audi links
Here’s Lapo Elkann urges Ferrari to look beyond politics
Here’s Felipe Massa on legal chances regarding 2008 title
