Ferrari chairman John Elkann has firmly stated that Lewis Hamilton is not preparing to retire from Formula 1 anytime soon.
The seven-time world champion is set to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari as Charles Leclerc's teammate next year, replacing the impressive Carlos Sainz.
"It's tragic that he (Sainz) is having his best season at Ferrari and is not getting a seat in a top team," Red Bull F1 consultant Dr Helmut Marko shared with Speed Week. "But apparently there is a clause in his (Williams) contract that allows him to leave if an offer comes from a much better placed team."
Despite Hamilton nearing 40, his skill and achievements remain unquestioned, though some are surprised by Ferrari's decision to change their current team structure. Marc Surer, a former F1 driver, explained to motorsport-total.com his view on the decision.
"Leclerc is always on the limit, and perhaps also more nervous than Sainz, who seems more relaxed," the Swiss noted.
"But if you want to be world champion, you have to choose the faster one. And that is Leclerc."
Hamilton, now 39, also talked about his future plans in an interview with Esquire magazine.
"I do have mentally a plan of where I would like to extend to. I've just got to strategise and sequence things," he said. "So it's like, how much do you want to train? How can you stay sharp and be able to do all those things you have going on, and still be able to compete with those young guys in their 20s."
Elkann, however, is not concerned. "We are talking about a great sportsman who is very motivated to become world champion for the eighth time, as the last races have shown," he affirmed in La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"He is certainly not coming to Ferrari to enjoy retirement."
Leclerc also shared his enthusiasm about partnering with one of the sport's legends. "It's going to be a great opportunity to learn from one of the best ever," he mentioned to Gentleman's Journal.
"And second, I think it is going to be an amazing opportunity, also, for me to be able to show what I'm capable of, so I'm really looking forward to it."
Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya, speaking to F1 Maximaal, also predicted a smooth partnership between Hamilton and Leclerc. "I think they will build a good relationship," he said.
"I think it will definitely be interesting, and it will definitely be interesting how Ferrari is going to manage that situation. Because Leclerc will want to make a point."
"Lewis has won seven world titles. How many wins does Charles have? Six? In what, six years? Both drivers will be fascinating to follow. We'll find out," Montoya concluded.
