F1 Rumour: Ferrari Is "The Only Option" For Lewis Hamilton As Mercedes Contract Still Unsigned

Amid rumors, Herbert discusses Hamilton's possible Ferrari switch. Can the Scuderia offer him an eighth championship?

Former Sky Sports F1 pundit Johnny Herbert has admitted that he would be "shocked" to find out that Lewis Hamilton wasn't talking to Ferrari as the British driver is still looking to sign a contract with his current team, Mercedes. 

Johnny Herbert's Insightful Take

Johnny Herbert, the former F1 driver-turned pundit, has weighed in on the rumours surrounding the future of 7-time champion Lewis Hamilton. According to him, if Hamilton were to ever leave Mercedes, Ferrari stands as his solitary golden gate. This revelation comes even as Hamilton's contract with Mercedes approaches its conclusion at the end of this year, with no further contract currently being signed. While many anticipate Hamilton to renew his ties with the Silver Arrows, speculations continue to whirl around the paddock.

“I hope he is still thinking that Mercedes potentially isn’t working for him and what is the next best thing? The Red One. Ferrari. That’s the only option,” Herbert told Casinosite.nl. 

"Are those conversations happening? I would be shocked if nothing was happening. I think it would be the best thing to do as I’ve said before. 

"They have all the ingredients, they just need to get them all mixed together."

A Rumoured Ferrari Offer

The ties that bind the seven-time world champion to Mercedes appear strong, with both sides hinting that a contract renewal is merely a formality waiting to be inked. Yet, a move to Ferrari, as unfathomable as it may sound, has been whispered in hushed tones among the F1 journalists and stakeholders. Adding fuel to the fire of these speculations, it has come to light that Hamilton once rebuffed an enticing offer from the president of Scuderia Ferrari.

The Current Ferrari Struggle

Herbert highlighted Ferrari's inconsistencies in this interview, stating: 

“It’s the fragmentation of all those jigsaw pieces which haven’t fitted together.

"They don’t fit properly, from the strategy calls that are still an issue, to having a car that was good at the start of the year but hasn’t really developed since then.

"They started aiming for poles and potentially winning races but now they’re nowhere near that. And everyone else has got better.

"They are not in the position that Lewis would want to be able to win another world championship.”

With Ferrari bringing on new team principal Fred Vasseur this year, there's plenty of work still to be done within the team as the French chief continues to adjust. But with the Scuderia falling to fourth in the Constructor Standings after 12 races, there's very little optimism from onlookers that they'll be able to pull anything back this year.  

Because of this, it's highly unlikely that Lewis is looking for anything from Ferrari, with them unlikely to be able to give him a championship winning car. Mercedes however, had made drastic changes to ensure they are performing at their best to bring Hamilton a W15 to remember.