LEWIS HAMILTON has sparked talk of a stunning transfer to Ferrari after it was revealed he speaks to Fred Vasseur at every race.
Ferrari team principal Vasseur confirmed he and the 38-year-old speak at every Grand Prix.
He also said they have a close bond, owing to when Hamilton raced under Vasseur in his title-winning GP2 season in 2006 – which led the Brit to getting an F1 seat with McLaren in 2007.
But seven drivers titles later, Hamilton is now one of the faces of the sport.
Vasseur, 55, places him alongside Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc as the best on the grid.
And he is not ignorant to Hamilton’s contract situation at current team Mercedes, which is set to expire at the end of the season.
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Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Frenchman Vasseur explained his relationship with Hamilton, saying: “I talk to him at every GP, he raced for me 20 years ago and we are still close.
“I helped him when he went to McLaren at the beginning of his F1 career and we talk from time to time.
“Clearly if we are seen together in the paddock a fuss comes out, but the relationship has remained.
“I don’t want to compare him to our drivers, it would not make sense. But the contribution of a top driver is not only driving.”
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He continued: “It’s also technical, strategy, help in hiring an engineer. And in this case, if you have Hamilton, Verstappen but also Leclerc it’s easier.
“People who work in F1 are passionate about racing, they like to work with champions.”
With the mid-season break in full swing, Hamilton has been enjoying some time away from the track.
And according to some sensational reports, he has been spending some of that time with singer Shakira.
The pair having sparked dating rumours after being spotted together over the last few months.
Shakira is claimed to have snuck Hamilton into her luxury Ibiza villa on three separate occasions.
Hamilton finished P4 at the Belgian Grand Prix almost three weeks ago but must until August 27 before he gets racing again at the Dutch Grand Prix.
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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
