According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Lewis Hamilton has approached Ferrari president John Elkann during the 2019 season. The British driver is currently committed to Mercedes until the end of the 2020 campaign.

However, with everything up in the air, beyond that, it remains to be seen, how the grid shakes itself up. As a result, rumours and questions have been floating all season long if the prospect of donning the scarlet colours will tantalise the six-time World Champion. Admittedly, Lewis Hamilton is anything but a spring chicken, as he will be 36 in 2021. So one question to be asked is, will he stick around for that long?

It was also worth mentioning that Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto confessed that he was “happy” that someone of Hamilton’s calibre will be available post-2020. Of course, the comments immediately triggered plenty of speculation about a potential move.

Gazzetta dello Sport is of the opinion that discussions have already begun between Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari.

“There have been two meetings between Ferrari president John Elkann and Hamilton himself during 2019,” it said.

“Elkann is a big fan of Hamilton, so too is Ferrari vice president, Piero Ferrari, who is in Abu Dhabi this weekend.”

“This is a courtship that has lasted for years. Even from the times of Luca di Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali, the interest in the English champion has been constant and is still very strong today.”

Furthermore, there were claims that Lewis Hamilton himself is also willing to take the bait.  La Gazzetta claimed that the 6-time world champion admired Ferrari’s rich motorsport history. Apparently, he was fascinated by stories about the great Enzo Ferrari and secretly visited the Maranello factory a few times.

The Italian newspaper also claimed that Ferrari may not continue with Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc beyond 2020. This is is especially when Vettel’s deal expires, potentially opening a berth alongside Leclerc. Speaking of the Monegasque driver, it is largely understood that he will be contracted until at least 2022.