Ferrari Team Principal Mattia
Binotto said Sunday it was "too soon" to start talking about
Lewis Hamilton's suggestion he might end his career with the
Italian glamour team.
But he did not close the door on welcoming the freshly
crowned 34-year-old six-time world champ when his Mercedes
contract ends in 2021.
"I think we are just starting to talk about 2020...we're all
focused on 2020, which is the most important thing," Binotto
said.
The Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff, has admitted he had
assessed there was a 25% chance of the Englishman leaving for
the Prancing Horse.
After seven years at Mercedes, Hamilton has one more year on
his contract and speculation has been rife that the 34-year-old
might like to see out his career with Ferrari.
He did not deny that had already met twice this year with
their chairman, John Elkann, and admitted he was considering how
to finish his time in F1.
"Naturally everything that happens behind closed doors is
always private with whoever you end up sitting with," he said.
"I love where I am so it's definitely not a quick decision to
do something else, but of course I think it's only smart and
wise for me to sit and think of what I want … If it is the last
period or stage in my career."
Ferrari's four-time world champ Sebastian Vettel quipped when
asked about Hamilton's reported interest that "he can come,
after all he already has a Ferrari (sportscar)".
Ferrari had another thankless season amid Mercedes dominance.
One bright spot was the emergence of Vettel's young teammate
Charles Leclerc as a force to be reckoned with.
Leclerc finished third in the drivers' championship behind
Hamilton and his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.
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