This archive report was first published on 12 December 2019.
Italian media have reported that Lewis Hamilton, the six-time Formula One world champion, has met Ferrari chairman John Elkann twice this year, sparking speculation about a potential move to the Italian team.
However, Ferrari's chief executive, Louis Camilleri, has downplayed the rumors, saying that any talk of a move for Hamilton is premature.
‘I think it has been public that Lewis has had conversations with our chairman,' Camilleri told reporters at a lunch at the Ferrari factory in Maranello. 'It was a social event, which has sort of been blown somewhat out of proportion, but it was a social event. They have some common friends.'
Camilleri emphasized that Ferrari is flattered by Hamilton's interest, but the team will not make any decisions about his future until the end of his contract with Mercedes in 2020.
‘It’s totally premature and we’ll look at our options at the appropriate time and we will see what is the best fit for us as a team,' Camilleri said.
Meanwhile, Ferrari's team boss, Mattia Binotto, said that the team is open to the possibility of signing Hamilton, but only if it is the right decision for the team.
‘We are flattered that Lewis, in particular, and other drivers want to come and join us,' Binotto said.
Hamilton has said that he is waiting for Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff to decide his own future before making any decisions about his own future.
Camilleri also expressed his team's opposition to the idea of Toto Wolff becoming the next Formula One chairman, citing potential conflicts of interest.
‘I think that anybody who’s really been an active and important player in a certain team within the last years, to take on the responsibility at F1 would automatically create conflicts of interest, perceived or otherwise,' Camilleri said.
