Ferrari "happy" Hamilton is available for 2021
Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto says current Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton's availability for 2021 "can only make us happy", with several top Formula 1 drivers out of contract next year.
Six-time world champion Hamilton's current deal with Mercedes expires at the end of 2020, and although he said he was not looking forward to contract negotiations resuming next year, he is expected to stay with the team he has won five of his drivers' titles with.
Hamilton's teammate Valtteri Bottas, Ferrari's warring duo Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc, and Red Bull's Max Verstappen are also in need of new deals for 2021 and beyond.
Asked if he would like to sign Hamilton if he remains available, Binotto said: "Lewis is certainly an outstanding driver, a fantastic driver.
"Knowing that he's available in 2021 can make us only happy, but honestly it's too early for any decision. We are happy with the drivers we've got at the moment.
"Certainly at one stage next season we will start discussing and understanding what to do."
Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2013, and has won five of the last six titles during the team's dominance of the V6 turbo-hybrid era.
Conversely, Ferrari has failed to mount a season-long challenge in each of those years, with new-for-2019 pairing Vettel and Leclerc having a tense on-track relationship at times and coming to blows in the previous race in Brazil.
Hamilton has been linked to Ferrari before and although an exit from Mercedes is not considered likely, he has said he would like to see current team boss Toto Wolff's future determined before making his own decision.
Asked about Hamilton's comments, Wolff – who has been linked with a job helping run F1 – said: "Lewis and I have grown close over the last seven years. We ended up in Mercedes at the same time in 2013 and I think we have built up a lot of trust.
"At the same time, the two of us are part of a wider organisation where everybody is playing in their relative field of competence.
"For him to say that is nice. I'd also like to know where he goes or if he stays in the future.
"We are having those discussions about the future and I think it is very important between the two of us, like between many others that have played an important role within that team.
"There are many things to be decided on and we will see over the winter."
Share Or Save This Story
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
What were Charles Leclerc's "other opportunities" before signing new Ferrari deal?
Why Charles Leclerc didn’t copy Lewis Hamilton’s driving style amid F1 2026 struggle
Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur recall GP2 title and 'most impressive race ever', 20 years on
Charles Leclerc and Pecco Bagnaia: From kings to princes
Sainz blasts "most unfair penalty ever", seeks stewards' explanation
Calado: "Difficult" for WEC Hypercar newcomers "to win straight off"
Sam Mayer is going back to JR Motorsports in a new deal for 2027
IndyCar reports record 2026 metrics across broadcast, digital, and live events
NASCAR debates fairness of qualifying metric after two time trial rain outs during The Chase
Sebastien Bourdais joins DragonSpeed Corvette lineup in GTD Pro return at Petit Le Mans
Ten years of Baku: Can F1 2026 bring back the fear factor?
Great debate: Which circuit should host the F1 2026 finale if the calendar has to change?
Italy’s next F1 world champion?
What's behind the talks between the FIA president and Fernando Alonso over ADUO?
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments