Lewis Hamilton invited to drive a Ferrari amid Mercedes exit rumours

F1: Lewis Hamilton trains on ski trip

Lewis Hamilton has been offered the chance to drive a Ferrari, but not how you might think. The Mercedes star has had links with the Prancing Horse throughout his decorated career in Formula 1.

Hamilton is still without a confirmed seat in the sport ahead of the new season, with Mercedes yet to announce a new contract for the seven-time world champion.

The Silver Arrows have been in negotiations with the Brit for a while now but it seems an agreement is yet to be reached.

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has caused havoc for the F1 teams – with money now tighter than ever.

George Russell is the man who has been widely tipped to replace Hamilton at Mercedes, if he does leave, with the 22-year-old progressing well at Williams.

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Russell enjoyed a great weekend at the Sakhir Grand Prix – when Hamilton was recovering from coronavirus – with the youngster coming in to replace the reigning champion.

The Mercedes-owned Williams driver was unfortunate not to pick up his maiden Formula 1 victory on the Sunday, with a pit disaster costing Russell a chance on the middle of the podium.

Valtteri Bottas is confirmed to be driving with Mercedes this year, with the Finn putting pen-to-paper on a new deal in August 2020.

A seat at the Silver Arrows for Russell may not be imminent unless Hamilton does leave Formula 1’s top constructors.

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There have been links to Ferrari for the British driver, but back in November, the 36-year-old revealed that a move to the Italian side would not happen.

“The Ferrari thing is not going to happen… I think,” Hamilton said.

“I’ve always been positive about Ferrari. I watched Michael (Schumacher) win there. I’ve always been a Ferrari fan.

“I remember one of my first cars I ever bought was a Ferrari. And I think it’s a hugely iconic team and brand, particularly.

“I think the team has, in my period of time… there have been things I’ve seen that I don’t necessarily feel mirror my values and my approach.

“However, it is a team that every driver, I think, has dreamed of what it would be like to sit in the red cockpit.”

If Hamilton’s comments are to be believed, then he won’t be driving in a current Ferrari Formula 1 car anytime soon, but he could be set to test out the classic 312B.

Former Minardi driver Paolo Barilla has personally invited the Englishman to try out his Ferrari 312B, the car that Clay Regazzoni won the 1970 Italian Grand Prix in.

Barilla, speaking to Motorsport, said: “I drove it in Monte Carlo and it really touched me. But the car is difficult to drive, so I won’t do it again.

“It would have to be a driver who can appreciate the emotions when you are behind the wheel of this car. I think Lewis Hamilton is such a driver.

“When I hear him talking about driving, I can feel that he is a driver who can appreciate special features of a car.”

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