Lewis Hamilton ‘set to be offered £40m’ to make shock move
Lewis Hamilton is reportedly set to be offered £40m to make a shock switch to Ferrari next year. The 38-year-old, who has won six of his seven world titles at Mercedes since joining the Silver Arrows in 2013, is currently stalling on extending his current contract which expires at the end of the season. While both Hamilton and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff insist a new deal will be agreed, Ferrari now look poised to enter the race for the seven-time world champion with a lucrative offer. According to the Daily Mail, the Scuderia are prepared to offer £40m-a-year to land Hamilton – with president John Elkann already in close contact with the Brit and his team. The report adds that one possible scenario is for Hamilton to replace current Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, in what would amount to a straight-swap deal with the Monegasque joining Mercedes to partner George Russell. The other, more favourable, option is to pair Hamilton with Leclerc, meaning Ferrari would look to offload Spanish driver Carlos Sainz. With Hamilton’s current contract close to the £40m-a-year mark anyway, money would not be the predominant factor in his decision-making. Instead, the competitiveness of both cars compared to current runaway leaders Red Bull would be of greater significance, as Hamilton targets a record-breaking eighth world championship in his final years in the sport. While Mercedes, the dominant team in the hybrid era from 2014-2021 with eight-straight constructors’ crowns, took a backwards step in 2022, Ferrari burst to the front of the field with a potential championship-winning car. Leclerc’s challenge was foiled by reliability problems and strategic errors, as well as a few mistakes himself, and Ferrari have struggled at the start of this year too despite Fred Vasseur replacing Mattia Binotto as team boss. Mercedes are poised to bring new upgrades to this week’s race in Monaco – with a new floor, sidepod design and front suspension in the works. The modifications were set to come in at Imola last week before the race was cancelled due to flooding in the Emilia Romagna region. Whether Mercedes can haul in the deficit to Red Bull out in front – by 128 points in the constructors’ standings – this season remains very unlikely, but Hamilton will want to be encouraged that his team are taking a positive step before signing a new contract. Hamilton has been linked with Ferrari in the past, particularly surrounding contract negotiations in 2019, but stated at the time there were “things that don’t mirror my values and approach.” "The Ferrari thing is not going to happen, I think," he said then. "I’ve always been positive about Ferrari. I watched Michael win there. I’ve always been a Ferrari fan. I remember one of the 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. Hamilton has not won a grand prix since December 2021, in Saudi Arabia, and a race later missed out on a record-breaking eighth crown in controversial and dramatic circumstances in Abu Dhabi to Max Verstappen. Currently, Hamilton is level in the all-time leaderboard on seven F1 world titles with Ferrari icon Michael Schumacher. Hamilton could, possibly, also be swayed by the fact that hero Ayrton Senna was poised to join Ferrari in 1995 before his fatal crash at Imola in May 1994. Red Bull is not seen as a realistic option for Hamilton, with Christian Horner saying as much in April, while Aston Martin are content with their current driver pairing of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. Hamilton currently trails championship leader Verstappen in the standings this season by 63 points after just five races. Read More Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes are the biggest losers from Imola Grand Prix cancellation Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 F1 title still under threat as Felipe Massa bemoans ‘injustice’ Where are Mercedes and Ferrari? Frankly, you don’t want to hear the answer ‘Nasty piece of work’: Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes slammed by Toto Wolff Lewis Hamilton and George Russell ‘pray’ for Imola as they urge people to ‘stay safe’ during floods
2023-05-22 16:48
Ron DeSantis booed at Jacksonville vigil as police say racist Florida shooter bought weapons legally – live
Florida governor Ron DeSantis was heckled by mourners at a vigil held in Jacksonville for the three victims killed in a racially motivated attack. Two men and a woman were killed on Saturday by a 21-year-old white man named Ryan Palmeter, who “hated Black people”. The victims were identified as Angela Michelle Carr, 52, Anolt Joseph “AJ” Laguerre Jr, 19, and Jarrald De’Shaun Gallion, 29. As the governor began speaking at the vigil on Sunday, many members of a crowd of over a hundred people booed Mr DeSantis, forcing him to step back from the microphone. Ju'Coby Pittman, a Jacksonville city councilperson who represents the neighbourhood where the shooting took place, stepped in and asked the crowd to listen. The shooting took place at a Dollar General store just blocks from the historically-Black Edward Waters University. Shortly before the gunman went on a killing spree, his parents called law enforcement to say they had found a manifesto. The gunman had reportedly called his parents ahead of the attack and told them to look at his computer. Sheriff TK Waters described those writings as a “disgusting ideology of hate”. Read More Florida shooting victim planned to spend Saturday with his daughter. He was killed before he could. Biden demands US do better on racism amid Jacksonville shooting: ‘Hate must have no safe harbor’ Chilling CCTV shows Jacksonville shooter entering Florida store during deadly rampage Everything we know about the Florida Dollar General Shooting
2023-08-28 17:50
Feeling Adventurous? The U.S. Government Is Giving Away Lighthouses
If you've always wanted to live in a lighthouse, now is your chance.
2023-05-27 05:20
Killings of 3 women in Long Island went unsolved for more than a decade. Here's how authorities tracked down the suspect
After the remains of four women were found near a beach in Long Island, New York, more than a decade ago, investigators say DNA evidence and cellphone data now point to a murder suspect -- a local architect whose internet history showed him often searching the status of the case and details about the victims.
2023-07-15 17:53
Pemex Loses Nearly 450,000 Barrels of Oil After Deadly Blast
Petroleos Mexicanos suffered oil production losses equivalent to about a quarter of its total daily output Saturday, following
2023-07-09 05:15
Is MrBeast a college dropout? YouTuber becomes professor to teach 'a class at Harvard', says, it was 'pretty funny'
MrBeast posted photos on Instagram after taking a class at Harvard Business School
2023-08-13 14:57
Japan’s Kishida Seeks Meeting with North Korea’s Kim: Kyodo
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he’ll intensify efforts to realize a meeting with North Korean leader Kim
2023-11-26 15:56
Head boy -- French racing dynasty enjoys more classic success
Christopher Head became the latest member of France's greatest racing dynasty to enjoy success in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) and paid tribute to his "pillars", his...
2023-06-19 01:46
French Government Lays Out €4 Billion Spending Cut to Close Gap
The French government sent a 2024 spending plan to parliament that calls for a €4.2 billion ($4.7 billion)
2023-07-17 00:20
On 3rd anniversary of George Floyd's death, Biden stops GOP-led effort to block DC police reform law
President Joe Biden on Thursday - the third anniversary of George Floyd’s murder - vetoed an effort led by congressional Republicans to overturn new District of Columbia law on improving police accountability
2023-05-26 02:55
Toshiba board recommends shareholders support tender offer by JIP-led consortium
TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan's Toshiba Corp said on Thursday its board of directors decided to recommend shareholders to take up a
2023-06-08 10:56
MrBeast's copyist puts his life at stake trying to create YouTuber's buried alive challenge
A YouTuber attempted to recreate MrBeast's life-threatening video, putting his own life at stake
2023-06-17 20:17
You Might Like...
One year old, US climate law is already turbocharging clean energy technology
Outrage as video of 'Stranger Things' star Noah Schnapp handing out 'Zionism is sexy' stickers surfaces online amid Israel-Hamas conflict
FantasTech Sale II, Newegg’s Big Fall Extravaganza, Offers Incredible Deals on Must-Have Tech Products
How one lake has captured the moment we changed the world forever
Jake Shields shares why Logan Paul vs Dillon Danis won't happen: 'Don't think he wants to fight'
Nicole Kidman pays heartfelt tribute to Jimmy Buffett after legendary singer's death at 76
Saudi charges women's activist with spreading 'propaganda'
Ronaldo marks 200th Portugal cap with winner, Haaland fires Norway
