Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has claimed that he ‘doesn’t care’ about the contract negotiations between Toto Wolff, Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton. This is despite having chased the Brit’s signature throughout the summer and the close personal connection between the pair.
Lewis Hamilton contract questioned as Toto Wolff confirms Mercedes successor
The Maranello-based team have been courting the seven-time world champion this summer, making approaches to the Briton on two separate occasions with some of the most senior members of the organisation personally contacting Hamilton but to no avail.
Vasseur has now turned his attention to his current driver line-up. With Robert Shwartzman not viewed as an F1-worthy talent and Oliver Bearman still a couple of years away from making the step up, it is in the Frenchman’s interest to retain the services of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
Speaking to Motorsport.com Italy about Hamilton’s Mercedes future, Vasseur explained: “I think it’s the same situation we have already seen in recent years, they are discussing, I don’t know what the problem is and whether it is there or not.
“I honestly don’t care, I am focused on the development of our team. It is something that concerns Lewis and Toto [Wolff], not me.”
Hamilton is out of contract at the end of the 2023 season and is yet to sign a new deal with Mercedes. The legendary Briton has been with the Silver Arrows since leaving McLaren at the end of the 2012 season with the partnership now over a decade old.
Wolff had previously said that there was no disagreement between the two parties and that only minor details needed to be ironed out before the contract could be signed. However, as the weeks go by with no news of a renewal, fans are beginning to speculate that there could be more to this story than meets the eye as Hamilton continues to be linked with a move to Ferrari.
Fred Vasseur is sorting out Ferrari’s contractual worries (Image: Getty)
Vasseur confirmed his close relationship with Hamilton earlier this summer, telling La Gazzetta dello Sport: “I talk to him at every GP, he raced for me 20 years ago and we are still close. I helped him when he went to McLaren at the beginning of his F1 career and we talk from time to time.
“Clearly if we are seen together in the paddock a fuss comes out, but the relationship has remained. I don’t want to compare him to our drivers, it would not make sense. But the contribution of a top driver is not only driving.”
