"These rumors come up every two years when we have to sign a new contract": Mercedes boss refutes reports of Ferrari approaching Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff believes reports of Lewis Hamilton's possible departure from the team come up every time his contract nears expiration.

The Briton's current contract with the German team will come to an end in 2023 but it is still unclear whether he will sign a new deal with them. Recently, the news of him joining Ferrari has been floating in the market after it was heavily reported that the Italian team have made an offer.

Speaking to OE24, Wolff said:

“These rumors come up every two years when we have to sign a new contract. But none of this is true. We discuss normally, without any time pressure. I said that too. It’s just uncomfortable that two friends, two blood brothers who have been through thick and thin for ten years, suddenly have to discuss money.

"I’m firmly convinced that we’ll find each other, there’s not a millimeter of doubt for me. I can’t imagine anything else. If we give Lewis a competitive car, he will win for a long time. Look at Tom Brady and what he was still capable of in his 40s.”

"I'd be lying if I said I'd never thought about ending my career anywhere else" - Lewis Hamilton

The seven-time world champion stated that he has thought of ending his career elsewhere and has imagined himself driving in a red Ferrari.

Speaking to ESPN, Lewis Hamilton said:

"I'd be lying if I said I'd never thought about ending my career anywhere else. I started at McLaren, I'd like to think I'll always be a part of the McLaren family, I started there when I was 13 years old [as a junior driver], so I thought about what it would look like if I was at McLaren one day.

"I thought about and watched the Ferrari drivers on the screens at the track and of course, you wonder what it would be like to be in red... But then I go to my team, to Mercedes, and this is my home. I'm happy where I am. I haven't signed a contract yet, but we are working on one."

He added:

"If you look at LeBron [James], if you look at Tom Brady, they have shown that it can be sustained for as long as you are dedicated enough to put the energy and time in. Right now, I don't plan on changing, I only plan on adding to the drive and the motivation and to being better. I'm massively driven."

Currently, it is anyone's guess where Lewis Hamilton will end up next season.