Formula One news 2023: Lewis Hamilton tipped to join Ferrari

Martin Brundle says Lewis Hamilton is seriously considering his future options amid ongoing contract talks. While many have linked him to Ferrari, it seems another rival might be an target.

Lewis Hamilton has been tipped with a move to Ferrari

Formula One legend Martin Brundle believes Lewis Hamilton is seriously considering his options as the 38-year-old fixates on clinching a record eighth world drivers’ championship.

The rumour mill has run hot that Hamilton could look to move from Mercedes – where he has won six world championships in 10 seasons - after the team rolled out for the 2023 opener in Bahrain seemingly fourth-fastest on the grid.

Hamilton was scathing in his post-race critique, revealing he felt the team had not listened to his feedback on the previous season’s car.

His teammate George Russell declared he expected Red Bull to win every race in 2023 and team boss Toto Wolff was similarly glib with his post-race assessment.

Brundle admitted he was surprised by the comments from the Mercedes camp.

“Quite clearly Lewis feels that he’s not getting enough traction just chatting to (the team) and obviously feels they’re not paying enough attention and has had to go public with that,” Brundle said on the Sky Sports F1 podcast.

“We all jumped on it – ‘Wow, this is so unusual for Toto and Lewis not to just be (positive)’. They were pretty punchy with their words.”

Midway through the 2022 season speculation heightened that Hamilton may look to retire given Mercedes’ struggles. Instead he doubled down on his desire to continue driving into his 40s, and recently tabled his desire to race until he won another title.

Brundle believes the Briton’s sole desire now is to win an eighth world drivers’ championship and solidify himself as the greatest of all time – and that could mean leaving Mercedes.

“I think it’s absolutely clear that taking that eighth title is everything to him now,” Brundle said.

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton has been linked with a move away from the team

“Move that high tide mark and be right up there and (be) considered the greatest – to have won more than anybody else is important to him, and I think he will want to drive wherever he can achieve that.”

Some have speculated Hamilton could consider a swap to Ferrari, just as Michael Schumacher did - particularly with the Scuderia’s star driver Charles Leclerc also possibly agitating for change.

But Brundle threw another surprise suggestion in the mix - Red Bull.

“If he went to Ferrari for example, would you be certain you can achieve better there (than Mercedes)? They have a number of their own challenges at the moment,” Brundle said.

“Would he get in the door at Red Bull? Because that’s the only team right now you’d think he could go to (and contend for a world championship).

“Could you have a Verstappen-Hamilton line-up? Could you afford them? Do you need that? Because I think Red Bull are quite happy with their (line-up).”

Brundle feels Hamilton will first look to salvage what he has at Mercedes and will not be forced into a knee jerk reaction. But with the clock ticking on his career, Hamilton’s hand could be forced.

“It’s all very well saying he’ll go somewhere else, but where?” Brundle said.

“He’s obviously in the latter part of his career. I could easily see him having another five years (in Formula One).

“Lewis has got one more roll of the dice to join a team and make them world champions and get all the accolades that he wants, so I think that’s where he’s at.

“If I can make this (Mercedes) work, that’s my best solution. If not, I may have to look elsewhere.

“Senna left McLaren to go to Williams. Schumacher went off to Ferrari. So these great drivers are not scared of going somewhere and getting a lot of new people around them and making something happen.

Mercedes have shown signs of a struggle already this season and we’re only one race in

“There must be part of Lewis that thinks, ‘I’d love to go to Ferrari and do a Michael Schumacher. If I can’t win my eighth or ninth right now, why don’t I go and have some fun there?’

“I’m sure all of this will be playing in his mind.”

Brundle’s comments came days after his Sky colleague Simon Lazenby tipped Hamilton for a drive at Ferrari.

Mercedes era of dominance was ended in 2021 when Max Verstappen snatched the title from Hamilton in controversial circumstances in Abu Dhabi, the Briton has not won a race since that season.

“It’s the desire of all drivers to drive for Ferrari,” Sky Sports F1 presenter Simon Lazenby told the British media.

“In the past, Lewis has been quoted as saying he would like to drive for Ferrari.

“If Ferrari moves comfortably ahead of Mercedes I wouldn’t rule it out.”

Mercedes are adamant they will hold on to their man, but amid growing concerns over their car’s capabilities as well as Hamilton publicly bemoaning the team’s performance, it seems all is not well in house.

After finishing fifth in the season opener in Bahrain, Hamilton threw his team under the bus.

“Last year, I told them the issues that are with the car,” he told the BBC.

“Like, I’ve driven so many cars in my life, so I know what a car needs, I know what a car doesn’t need.

“And I think it’s really about accountability, it’s about owning up and saying ‘yeah, you know what, we didn’t listen to you, it’s not where it needs to be and we’ve got to work’.

“We’ve got to look into the balance through the corners, look at all the weak points and just huddle up as a team, that’s what we do.”

Originally published as Formula One news 2023: Lewis Hamilton tipped to join Ferrari