Charles Leclerc would welcome Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari amid talk of Mercedes exit

Lewis Hamilton would be welcomed to Ferrari by driver Charles Leclerc.

The Brit won his sixth Formula One world championship last month, but he’s reportedly considering his future with Mercedes ahead of his contract expiring at the end of next season.


Lewis Hamilton has flirted with Ferrari and is expected to sign one more contract in F1

Getty Images – Getty

The highly-rated Leclerc, who finished fourth in the 2019 driver standings, would keep his seat upon Hamilton’s possible move, with the Brit replacing Sebastian Vettel.

And the Monegasque would love to call Hamilton a teammate at the start of the 2021 season.

“Of course I would welcome Lewis,” said Leclerc. “We are in Formula One and we want to fight against the best.

“I have had a big opportunity to have had Seb [Sebastian Vettel] next to me, who is a four-time world champion, and I have learned a lot from him, so you can always learn from these types of champions.”


Leclerc outscored Sebastian Vettel during a season defined by the two Ferrari drivers’ rivalry

Getty Images – Getty

To add to the speculation, Ferrari chief Mattia Binotto dubbed Hamilton ‘an outstanding driver’ and said last week: “Knowing that he’s available in 2021 can make us only happy.”

When asked about Ferrari’s praise of Hamilton, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said: “It is never a waste of time being nice to someone.

“It is a team I have always appreciated over the years. To have the respect from someone there who is so high up is not a bad thing.

“They have two great drivers but who knows what the driver market will be doing over the next few years?

“I’m still in contract and negotiations haven’t started yet. I honestly don’t know how the next phase of the month is going to go when it comes to contracts.”


Source: TalkSport.com Motorsport