Karun Chandhok Lewis Hamilton to stay at Mercedes, not Ferrari prospect

Hamilton

Chandhok: 'I don’t think that Ferrari will pitch Lewis against Leclerc'

Ferrari won't want two number one drivers...

Sam Hall

Saturday 11 January 2020 15:55 Updated: 16:05

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Karun Chandhok says that he doubts whether Lewis Hamilton will have the choice to switch to Ferrari - the Scuderia having signed Charles Leclerc on a long-term deal.

A story that keeps rumbling on, former Lotus driver Chandhok has been the latest personality to offer his thoughts on the rumours linking Hamilton and Ferrari.

“I don’t think that he’ll go to Ferrari now that Leclerc is signed to 2024,” said Chankhok. “I don’t think that Ferrari will pitch Lewis against Leclerc. I can’t see it happening.

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“Look, Formula One is a funny business and stranger things have happened, but by making that announcement, they’ve committed to Leclerc as being their future. Why would they want a controversial season with two number one drivers?

“Now it’s just a question of Lewis staying at Mercedes. He’s had a lot of success at Mercedes, he’s very happy at Mercedes and, as much as for all of us watching, it would be a box office hit to see Leclerc and Lewis in the same team – I’d also like to see Max [Verstappen] and Lewis in the same team – we can’t all get what we want.”

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has previously stated that he is keen for an early announcement of their 2021 driver lineup, suggesting the Spanish Grand Prix as the target date for this.

Chandhok was equally doubtful that this is a reachable target and, amid concerns that Sebastian Vettel could quit after the 2020 season, suggested that this would be a decision left to rest entirely on the driver's shoulders.

“I’d be very surprised if we get an announcement by Spain,” continued Chandhok. “I think, as usual, it’ll be around Monza [in September]. It’ll depend on how Vettel’s season goes.

“Ultimately, he showed that when the car started coming back into the zone that he liked – in Russia we saw the Vettel of old. He was brilliant. The pole lap in Japan was excellent, the qualifying laps in Austin and Brazil were both very good.

“The pace is still there, it’s whether he’s got the fire to take the race to Leclerc over 22-races this season.”

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