LEWIS HAMILTON’S next move has been predicted by former team-mate Heikki Kovalainen.
Kovalainen raced alongside Hamilton at McLaren for two years, but struggled to match the Brit’s pace.
With seven world titles now under his belt, Hamilton is determined to win an eighth.
However, things are not going to plan at Mercedes after a torrid season last year and a less-than-desirable start to proceedings this time around.
Indeed, it has even led to team chief Toto Wolff declaring Hamilton can LEAVE if they cannot produce a title-winning car for him.
This has led to the 38-year-old being linked with a seat at Ferrari, with Hamilton himself admitting he is a fan of the Scuderia.
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But Kovalainen doesn’t see things turning out this way, revealing a chat the pair had last year.
He told the Mirror: “Personally, I don’t see that coming – to me, he’s committed to Mercedes.
“I met him in Hungary last year and we had a good chat there.
“Without going into detail of what was said in a private conversation, the body language and the feel I got from him, I just felt that this is something that he wants to turn around.”
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“He wants to turn things around for Mercedes and that’s going to tick another box on his resume – to show that it’s not that he’s only been driving good cars and making the most of the good cars, but that he can actually turn a struggling team around and lead that team.
“That’s the reason why I’m thinking he’s not going to change.
“I feel he wants to turn this thing around with Mercedes and then he can show the world that he can turn a struggling team into a winning team again.
“It’s going to be exciting to watch and I one hundred per cent believe he has the skill and the will.
“If anyone, he can probably do it.”
In a radical move, Hamilton has parted ways with long-term performance coach Angela Cullen, who had been by his side for the last seven years.
Paying tribute, Hamilton wrote: “For the last seven years Angela Cullen has been by my side, pushing me to be the best version of myself.
“I am a stronger athlete and a better person because of her. So today I hope you’ll join me in wishing her the very best as she takes her next steps to pursue her dreams.
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“Thank you for everything Ang, I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you.”
Hamilton is back in action this weekend at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.
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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
