Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc swap touted in Mercedes transfer

Hamilton opens up on plans to remain in F1 ahead of 2023 season

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Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc should swap teams in a major shake-up at the top of F1’s pecking order, according to Eddie Jordan. The former Jordan team principal turned TV pundit claims Ferrari is the “only place” Hamilton may end up if he ditches the Silver Arrows.

Jordan told OLBG: “Formula One needs Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari and Ferrari needs Lewis Hamilton.

“Hamilton should look to go to another Championship-winning team, but the drama is who is going to move aside? Red Bull would not let Sergio Perez for Hamilton because they try to encourage drivers who have been through their teams to try and reach the top like Max Verstappen did.

“Hamilton is a McLaren man, but I can’t see him going back there because of the position they’re in. The only other places I see Hamilton going is Ferrari or staying at Mercedes.”

Speculation over a move away from the German manufacturer is high after he publicly criticised Mercedes bosses for not listening to him over the W14’s direction. Toto Wolff also accepted they could lose the seven-time champion if they did not give him a car capable of winning.

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Meanwhile, rumours have emerged in the Italian press that tensions are high at Ferrari after a difficult start to the campaign. Leclerc reportedly flew to Maranello for private talks with Ferrari president John Elkann ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The Monegasque’s deal comes to an end after the 2024 season making a switch between the two drivers a possibility. However, the 25-year-old appeared to deny an interest in the move as he admitted he wanted to win with Ferrari.

When pushed on the pair switching roles, Jordan added: “Now that would be interesting.

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“Charles Leclerc is very much a Mercedes type of driver, and to see Leclerc and George Russell fight it out would be great. That could be a deal in heaven. I know Leclerc quite well as a person and he’s magnificent, but so is Hamilton, so who is to say it would be any different.

“I’m sure everyone in F1 would love to see a swap between Hamilton and Leclerc, that would be mouth-watering. When I dream of Hamilton going to Ferrari, it is just a thought because he has won seven world championship titles with Mercedes so he might want to stay.

“Then again, all the great drivers would feel the pull of a great team like Ferrari, that’s where I think Hamilton should end up.”

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