When asked by the French publication, L’Equipe, about a possible switch by Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes to Ferrari, Charles Leclerc adopted a cautious stance. He warned that he would be weighing up his words, before expressing calm about the potential arrival of such a rival.

Leclerc laughed out loud as he went on the defensive about Lewis Hamilton, according to L’Equipe, to whom he gave a lengthy interview. The sports daily published a first extract from the interview on Thursday, focusing on the rumoured association between Ferrari and the British driver.

As far as Leclerc is concerned at this stage, the arrival of the seven-time world champion as a major internal competitor and team mate is out of the question.

“I have absolutely no doubt (that) if anything had happened, Fred (Vasseur) would have told me,” says Leclerc,

Team boss says no to Hamilton

Frederic Vasseur’s comments in Monaco on Thursday matched those of Leclerc.

“For a laugh, I could say that a fortnight ago you were sending Sainz to Audi, and a week ago you were sending Leclerc to Mercedes,” replied the Frenchman, according to Motorsport.

“At this stage of the season, there will be a different story every week. We’re not making Lewis Hamilton an offer. We haven’t. We haven’t had any discussions.”

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Leclerc is under contract with Ferrari until the end of the 2024 season, while Hamilton is nearing the end of his lease with Mercedes. The question surrounding their future is likely to be a protracted one.

According to Jean Alesi, guest on Les Fous du Volant last month, the possibility of a marriage between the Italian team and the 38-year-old driver is not far-fetched:

“It’s impossible for a Lewis Hamilton not to say to himself: ‘I’d have to see what it’s like’, because Scuderia is a legend for all drivers.”

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