F1 news 2023: Lewis Hamilton considering bombshell $75m move from Mercedes to Ferrari

The future of seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton is closer to being settled, with the Mercedes driver on the verge of a shock switch which would shake up the F1 world.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 07: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes walks out onto the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 07, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton has been linked with a bombshell move to Ferrari with reports out of England and Italy both claiming he has been offered $75m to join the Scuderia in 2024.

Hamilton is currently off contract at Mercedes and although earlier this year he told reporters he planned to be with Mercedes “until my last days”, the lack of competitiveness with Red Bull could prompt the British champion to consider switching teams to finish his career.

The Daily Mail reported Ferrari president John Elkann is already in close discussions with Hamilton while Italian newspaper La Gazzetta claimed an offer has been made for 2024, with the $75m fee roughly the same salary he currently commands at Mercedes.

Will F1 star Lewis Hamilton wave goodbye to Mercedes at the end of the year? Picture: Getty

Hamilton previously told ESPN Ferrari was the only other team he would consider joining in pitlane.

“I’d be lying if I said I’d never thought about ending my career anywhere else,” he told ESPN.

“I thought about and watched the Ferrari drivers on the screens at the track and of course you wonder what it would be like to be in red.

“But then I go to my team, to Mercedes, and this is my home. I’m happy where I am. I haven’t signed a contract yet, but we are working on one.”

Complicating matters is the fact Ferrari’s two drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, are both under contract for next year so which driver he would become a major issue for the team although neither man would have trouble finding a new seat next season.

Charles Leclerc is under contract with Ferrari, but could be on the move to Mercedes. Picture: Getty

As the F1 paddock prepares for its annual silly season of driver movement in the next few weeks, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and Leclerc have both already been forced to deny claims they’d been discussing bringing the Monegasque star over to Mercedes.

Wolff told the media Leclerc was a driver he had his eye on, but re-signing Hamilton was Mercedes’ priority.

“Charles is a super guy and for the long-term future someone you have to have on your radar but not for the short and medium term,” Wolff said.

“Nobody doubts Charles’ ability and he is a good guy. He is 100 per cent committed to Ferrari and we are 100 per cent committed to putting pen to paper with Lewis.”

Leclerc was emphatic when confronted about the Mercedes rumours in Miami when asked by reporters if he had spoken to Wolff: “No... Zero... Zero... Really zero!” he said.

“You all smile because you don’t believe me, but I promise.

“I’m fully committed to Ferrari and I love Ferrari. It has always been a dream for me to be in this team and my main priority is to win a world championship with this team. So it’s not something in my mind.”