'Sainz has already been told by Ferrari he may leave'

Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari. The Italian racing team are said to be doing all they can at the moment to bring in the seven-time world champion. It will be at the expense of Carlos Sainz, Spanish AS reports.

Italian media dropped a bombshell on the Formula 1 world this morning. Lewis Hamilton is said to be in talks with Ferrari. John Elkann and Frederic Vasseur want to bring the seven-time world champion to Ferrari to drive alongside Charles Leclerc in 2025. Hamilton still has a contract at Mercedes, but that would be until 2024, with an option for another year.

Spanish medium AS has learned that the rumours from Italian sources are true. The victim is Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard was in talks with Ferrari about a new contract, but this is now said to have been put on hold. Ferrari are fully focused on Hamilton to bring the star driver to Maranello in 2025.

For Sainz, it is a major setback, although the Ferrari driver has no shortage of options. At Red Bull Racing, the seat next to Max Verstappen becomes vacant at the end of the season, and Audi (currently Stake) have been interested in Sainz for a long time.