Lewis Hamilton shoots down wild F1 rumour regarding Mercedes exit

Lewis Hamilton has responded to a rumour taking the F1 world by storm – amid reports a rival star has been lined up to replace him.

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - APRIL 27: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes talks in a press conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on April 27, 2023 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton has scoffed at suggestions Mercedes are looking to poach Charles Leclerc from Ferrari.

Hamilton has yet to agree new terms with the team and his contract is set to expire at the end of the season, The Sun reports.

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The 38-year-old insists he is only interested in re-signing for the Silver Arrows but that has not stopped reports that Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has been speaking to Leclerc about replacing the Brit.

But when quizzed about it ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan GP, Hamilton gave short shrift to the rumour saying it had “no impact” on his own contract negotiations.

He said: “I think maybe some of the drivers all have different relationships with different bosses and stuff.

“I like where I am, I love my team, and I’m grateful for the journey we’ve been on and what we’re working on moving forwards. So, it doesn’t have any impact, no.”

This weekend sees the introduction of the new format for the sprint race weekends.

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton has no concerns over the rumour. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)

Practice has been limited to just one session on Fridays and qualifying for Sunday’s GP will also take place today tomorrow rather than on Saturday.

It means the sprint qualifying - known as the ‘sprint shootout’ - and the sprint race itself will take place both on Saturday.

And Hamilton says he is a fan of the revised plan for the six sprint races, starting in the high-speed Baku street circuit.

He added: “It’s going to be tough for everybody but we’re all in the same boat, what a track to do it at.

“We have good races here. It’s definitely difficult to have just 20 laps then straight into qualifying.

“Before (in the sprint race), where you finished was where you qualified for the race. Now it is a practice session but there are points at the end of it.

“I don’t think we will be going more (aggressive) than we have done in the past. What I do think is it is great that we are doing these different format weekends.”

Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc has been linked to Mercedes. (Photo by NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA / AFP)

Hamilton has also supported Mercedes’ decision to bring back design whizz James Allison to help out Mike Elliott, with the two swapping jobs.

It comes as Mercedes try to recover from a slow start to the season where they admitted their car design was flawed.

Hamilton said: “James has always been a part of the team. He was obviously focused on another area before.

“Having him step back in, to support and work alongside Mike, it will strengthen the team.

“He has an amazing amount of experience. Moving forwards it’s great for the team - for the things we want to achieve on track, and off track.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.