holding talks with is an 'open secret' throughout the F1 paddock, based on stories in Italy. Silver Arrows star is out of contract on the finish of this season and hypothesis on his future refuses to subside, whereas some have urged him to maneuver on in quest of an eighth world title.
Neither Hamilton nor Leclerc can be glad with their present conditions as each Mercedes and Ferrari path Crimson Bull within the Constructors' Championships. The Brit got here agonisingly near an eighth world title in 2021, which might have put him high of the all-time charts, however he has not gained a Grand Prix since.
Ending his drought this season should still require a slice of luck as Crimson Bull stars Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have gained all three races between them up to now. Leclerc has additionally been left annoyed by Ferrari's nightmare begin beneath new boss Frederic Vasseur.
The Monegasque driver might be placing collectively a back-up plan if issues do not enhance in Maranello as Italian journalist Leo Turrini claims that talks are ongoing between Mercedes and the F1 star.
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"Leclerc speaking to Mercedes is an open secret," he defined in a chunk for . "Everybody is aware of it, from the distant storage in Maranello to the Indian Ocean."
"[Hamilton's current team-mate, George] Russell may be very, very robust. But when Hamilton had been to cease, whoever pays in Stuttgart won't settle for one other [Valtteri] Bottas alongside a driver who isn't but a world champion."
Leclerc would absolutely be certainly one of Mercedes' most well-liked choices if Hamilton decides to leap ship. The Ferrari ace has been tipped as a future world champion and his contract with the Prancing Horse is ready to run out on the finish of subsequent season.
It stays to be seen whether or not the 25-year-old will signal an extension, however the big distance between Ferrari and Crimson Bull in 2023 is unlikely to assist the Italians' trigger. If Leclerc does transfer on to pastures new, Hamilton might be the driving force to take up the emptiness as ex-F1 group proprietor Eddie Jordan is amongst these to have the potential for a transfer within the different path.
Hamilton beforehand admitted that it could be a '' to drive for Ferrari, however he has publicly maintained in current months that he intends to complete his profession with Mercedes, whom he joined in 2013.
Moreover, Turrini poured chilly water on claims that a transfer might be on the playing cards, : "I do know that Hamilton has by no means been near the crimson group. There was by no means a deal. By no means."