Lewis Hamilton extended his contract with Mercedes at the end of this summer, but there have been many rumors linking him with Formula 1 rivals Scuderia Ferrari. A few months before that time, the British had been discussing the topic and talking about the Italians’ proposal.

Lewis HamiltonPhoto: Hasan Bratic/AvensImages/LiveMedia/Shutterstock Editorial/Profimedia

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Lewis Hamilton and missed Ferrari transfer: He says he wasn’t ready to move to Italy

The soap opera with the extension of the contract with Mercedes ended forever on August 31: the official announcement of the new agreements that Lewis Hamilton and George Russell signed until 2025 came.

The Daily Mail wrote in May about Ferrari’s genuine interest in Hamilton. At the time, there was talk of a £40m contract, equal to what Lewis was getting at the time from Mercedes (under the new deal, Hamilton gets £50m a season).

A few weeks after that, Hamilton admitted that there had been discussions with the Italians and also provided an explanation for abandoning the move.

For Blick journalists, Lewis clarified the subject of his possible transfer to Ferrari.

“Not really (if he was really thinking of leaving Mercedes). Okay, I’ve definitely had random conversations (not with Ferrari). I know a lot of good people there. But I never felt ready to move to Italy,” Lewis Hamilton told a quoted source.

After 16 rounds of the current Formula 1 season, Hamilton is third in the drivers’ standings with 190 points. The multiple world champion is ahead of only the RedBull pilots – Verstappen is the first with 400 points, and Sergio Perez is the second with 223 points.

During his career, Hamilton scored 4,595.5 points, won 103 victories, 196 podiums and won the world championship title seven times (a record he tied with the legendary Michael Schumacher).

He debuted in 2007 at the Australian Grand Prix, and the first Formula 1 team was McLaren (2007-2012). Since 2013, he has been a Mercedes driver.

Formula 1 – Tournament table of pilots

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 400 points

2. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 223

3. Lewis Hamilton (“Mercedes”) 190

4. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 174

5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 150

6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 135

7. Lando Norris (“McLaren”) 115

8. George Russell (Mercedes) 115

9. Oscar Piastri (“McLaren”) 57

10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 47 etc.

Formula 1 – rating of constructors

1. RedBull 623 points / champion

2. Mercedes 305

3. Ferrari 285

4. Aston Martin 221

5. McLaren 172

6. Alpine-Renault 84

7. Williams 21

8. Haas 12

9. Alfa Romeo 10

10. Alpha Tauri 5.

Formula 1 season calendar for 2023

March 5: Bahrain – victory for Max Verstappen

March 19: Saudi Arabia – victory for Sergio Perez

April 2: Australia – victory for Max Verstappen

April 30: Azerbaijan / Baku – Winner Sergio Perez

May 7: Miami – victory for Max Verstappen

May 21: Emilia-Romagna / Imola – CANCELED

May 28: Monaco/Monte Carlo – victory for Max Verstappen

June 4: Spain / Barcelona – winner Max Verstappen

June 18: Canada / Montreal – winner Max Verstappen

July 2: Austria / Spielberg – victory of Max Verstappen

July 9: Great Britain / Silverstone – victory for Max Verstappen

July 23: Hungary / Hungaroring – Winner Max Verstappen

July 30: Belgium / Spa-Francorchamps – victory of Max Verstappen

August 27: Netherlands / Zandvoort – Winner Max Verstappen

September 3: Italy / Monza – winner Max Verstappen

September 17: Singapore / Marina Bay – Victor Carlos Sainz

September 24: Japan / Suzuka – victory of Max Verstappen

October 8: Qatar / Losail

October 22: USA / Austin

October 29: Mexico / Mexico City

November 5: Brazil / Sao Paulo

November 18: Las Vegas

November 26: Abu Dhabi / Yas Marina.