Vasseur flatly denies Hamilton to Ferrari rumours

Frederic Vasseur has denied claims that Ferrari have held talks with Lewis Hamilton over a 2024 Formula 1 drive.

The seven-time World Champion has long been linked with making a switch to Maranello at some point in his career, but has thus far remained committed to Mercedes - although his current contract expires at the end of 2023.

Toto Wolff has admitted that Hamilton could leave the team to chase his eighth world title, with reports this week linking Ferrari with a bumper offer to sign the British driver for next season.

However, team boss Vasseur denied such an approach had been forthcoming from the team.

Vasseur on Hamilton contract

"As a joke I could say that two weeks ago, [the media] sent [Carlos] Sainz to Audi, one week ago you send [Charles] Leclerc to Mercedes and now I am alone," Vasseur told media, including RacingNews365.com, in Monaco.

"You know perfectly that at this stage of the season, each week you will have a different story.

"We are sending an offer to Lewis, and we didn't do it.

"We didn't have discussions, and I think every single team on the grid would like to have Hamilton at one stage - it would be b***shit not to say something like this.

"And if I discussed with Hamilton, I discussed the last 20 years. I discussed almost every single weekend with Hamilton - I don't want to have to stop to discuss with him because you are chasing me!

"For us, we agreed that we will discuss about the contracts [for Leclerc and Sainz] and I don't want to change that because we had rumours from someone that Lewis would come or Charles or Carlos could go.

"We are doing our job internally and staying focused on the plan."