F1: Lewis Hamilton admits it’s ‘quite cool’ the Tifosi ask him to join Ferrari

2019 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix

• What: race No.14 on the 2019 F1 calendar
• When: 6-8 September
• Where: Autodromo Nazionale Monza
• Race start time: 2.10pm on Sunday 8 September
• TV channels: live on Sky Sports F1 and highlights on Channel 4
• Race preview and predictions

Could Lewis Hamilton finish his Formula 1 career driving in the red of Ferrari?

It’s a question that’s been asked many times by F1 fans over the years, and the hot topic has once again come up ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari’s home race.

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When asked about a switch to Ferrari, the British driver said it’s a potential option but played down the possibility because of his loyalty to Mercedes, Inside Racing reports.

“I don’t know if it’s about being tempted [to join Ferrari],” said the five-time world champion. “I think it’s about whether it’s part of the game plan.

“I was just asked the question, ‘how would you feel if you ended your career without being at Ferrari?’

“Honestly, when you’re part of Mercedes, you’re part of a family for a lifetime, provided you stay with them obviously.

“If you look at Stirling Moss, even [Juan Manuel] Fangio is still honoured within the family… you’re part of their history, and they look after you for the rest of your life.

“That is important to me. Loyalty is a very, very key part. But if there’s a point in my life where there’s something I want to change, then that could potentially be an option. I don’t know if that is at the moment.”

Lewis and the Tifosi

Following Charles Leclerc’s victory at last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix Ferrari fans will be confident of seeing their team take the chequered flag at Monza on Sunday.

Hamilton heads to Monza top of the 2019 drivers’ standings and he will be aiming for a sixth career win at the Italian GP.

The 34-year-old’s previous success at Ferrari’s home race has not pleased the Scuderia’s loyal fan base, the Tifosi. But Hamilton says that the Italian fans’s perception of him has started to change. Some have even asked him to move to Ferrari.

“I’m very lucky, I do have a good Italian following,” said Hamilton. “I think it’s grown a lot over the years. It takes a long time to shift perception.

“You still come here and stand on top of the podium and 90-plus per cent is all Ferrari fans and often they come here and I’ve made the weekend not so great for Ferrari fans by having Mercedes on the top step.

“But I appreciate and respect them a huge amount and in fact when I now come a lot of Ferrari fans ask me to come to Ferrari so it’s quite cool.

“I get a lot of messages from Ferrari fans who say ‘I’m a Ferrari fan but I respect you’. So I think it’s growing slowly, bit by bit. It’ll never be the same as if I was driving for the Ferrari team but nonetheless, bit by bit, it’s shifting.”