Lewis Hamilton would be taking gamble by leaving Mercedes, says former rival
Hamilton’s deal with Mercedes - where he’s won six of his seven titles - is up for renewal at the end of 2023
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
Lewis Hamilton has been warned by former rival Felipe Massa that it will be a gamble to leave Mercedes.
Hamilton’s contract with the Silver Arrows is up for renewal at the end of the year.
It is expected that the 38-year-old will extend his stay with the team which has carried him to six of his record-equalling seven world championships.
However, Mercedes’ indifferent start to the new campaign has led some to question as to whether Hamilton could shop around, with Ferrari a possible destination.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s race at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, team principal Toto Wolff described Hamilton’s unruly Mercedes as “a nasty piece of work”.
But Massa, who was at the Italian team for eight seasons and lost out to Hamilton by a single championship point in 2008, said: “Anything is possible, but I have doubts that it will happen.
“The relationship Lewis has with Mercedes is strong and to change that for Ferrari he would need to be sure what he is going to get.
“Ferrari have not proved they have the car to win the championship. Going there would be a bit of a gamble.
“If he cannot go to Red Bull, which is impossible with Max [Verstappen] there, I would stay at Mercedes.”
Hamilton will be 39 in January but the Briton appears determined to win a record eighth title.
In Miami, he even raised the prospect of racing into his fifties.
Massa, 42, who retired from the sport in 2017, said: “When I go to run I suffer more than when I was 30 or 25.
“The age will come to Lewis but he still has some years in front of him and you see what Fernando [Alonso, 41] is doing at Aston Martin. Lewis just doesn’t have the car, but maybe that will change.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments