Hamilton to Ferrari? ‘It would have been nice, but…’

The seven-time world champion has never hid his admiration for the iconic Italian manufacturer and did hold talks about driving for them, but a move away from Mercedes, his home since 2013, never came to fruition.

"Do you see what is written here? ‘Loyalty’,” Hamilton told Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sera, pointing at his tattoo, after being asked if he would still consider driving for Ferrari.

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“Of course it would have been nice to race for Ferrari during my career, but things happen for specific reasons. 

“Mercedes is my family, I will always be a Mercedes driver, as was Stirling Moss.”

Hamilton added about the F1 Monaco Grand Prix: “If I could sit down with the fans over there, I would support Charles Leclerc. 

“I'm a Ferrari fan.”

Hamilton was speaking after a frustrating Friday practice where he bemoaned “I’m losing my f***** mind” at the porpoising issues which have blighted Mercedes’ season so far.

Leclerc, in his home Grand Prix, was fastest in both practice sessions.

Hamilton was asked whether Leclerc or Red Bull’s reigning world champion Max Verstappen would win the 2022 title, and he replied: “So you take it for granted that we at Mercedes are done for? 

“Don't underestimate us. 

“Ferrari is stronger in qualifying and Red Bull in the race. But it changes with every race, and Ferrari has shown that they know how to create a great car. And then Charles is very strong.”

He reiterated his commitment to Mercedes’ improvements: “I've been with these guys for ten years. I know how they work and the type of culture: no processes, we win and we lose together. They are highly motivated, they give their souls to bring us back to the top.”