Ferrari Formula 1 boss Frederic Vasseur has downplayed the regular conversations he holds with Lewis Hamilton amid the rumours linking the Briton with a potential switch.
Earlier this month, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner revealed that a representative from Hamilton’s camp had contacted him regarding interest in a seat.
Horner also disclosed that “serious” talks had taken place between Hamilton and Ferrari, even noting that the two respective parties had held discussions as late as May.
Prior to penning a two-year extension with Mercedes in August, Hamilton’s future had been the subject of speculation amid the continuation of the Brackley-based squad’s struggles in the current ground effect era.
Hamilton has retained a close relationship with Vasseur since securing the GP2 title with the Frenchman’s ART side in 2006.
Although Vasseur admits he spoke with Hamilton during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend in June, he laughed off reports that the seven-time World Champion had been offered a Ferrari contract earlier this year.
“I’m talking with Lewis each week or each month for 20 years, so I can’t say that I didn’t speak with Lewis at one stage, as we are always in contact,” Vasseur explained.
“It’s true because half of the grid drove for me in the past, and in Baku, I had a discussion with Lewis in the paddock, and it started to go everywhere, but if he signed a contract with me each time that we spoke in the past, it would cost me a fortune!”
Meanwhile, Hamilton has been open about his relationship with the Ferrari hierarchy but denied that he had been engaged in any contract discussions outside of Mercedes.
“I know John [Elkann, Ferrari president] pretty well, we met years ago in the Google camp, I went to the Google camp in Sicily and that’s when our friendship started and we’ve always remained in touch,” he added.
“I’ve known Fred since 2005 and we’ve always had a really great relationship and we’ve talked often, particularly more since he joined F1 because after I left his team, we would talk all the time obviously when I was in his team and I came to Formula 1 and you have less contact with the Formula 2 series.
“But since he’s been back, we’ve met here, we’ve travelled together with Toto [Wolff, Mercedes team boss]. So, yeah, we’ve had that and that’s really as far as it goes.”
