Lewis Hamilton has been backed to see out his F1 profession with Mercedes by a former teammate.
Hamilton, 38, has received seven world titles up to now, and an eighth would take him forward of Michael Schumacher to face alone as essentially the most profitable driver within the sport’s historical past.
However Mercedes have struggled to compete with the dominance of Crimson Bull and Max Verstappen in latest campaigns, resulting in rumours that Hamilton would stop for Ferrari or one other staff.
Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff stated he wouldn’t stand within the Brit’s method if he selected to depart the staff in quest of the report.
Heikki Kovalainen, who was Hamilton’s teammate at Mercedes in 2008 and 2009, believes that the British driver is set to work via the issues at his present constructor, moderately than racing to seek out one other residence.
Lewis Hamilton has been backed to stay at Mercedes to try to flip round their struggles
Heikki Kovalianen (R) and Hamilton have been teammates collectively again in 2008 and 2009
When requested in regards to the prospect of a transfer, Kovalainen informed Mirror Sport: ‘Personally, I do not see that coming – to me, he is dedicated to Mercedes.’
The Finn added {that a} non-public dialog in Hungary final yr was revealing about Hamilton’s future plans. He stated: ‘The physique language and the texture I acquired from him, I simply felt that that is one thing that he desires to show round.
‘He desires to show issues round for Mercedes and that’s going to tick one other field on his resume – to point out that it is not that he is solely been driving good vehicles and profiting from the nice vehicles, however that he can truly flip a struggling staff round and lead that staff.’
Kovalainen backs Hamilton to have ‘the ability and the desire’ to show Mercedes again into winners regardless of their difficulties. The Finn stated: ‘It is going to be thrilling to observe.’
Forward of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday, Hamilton confirmed that he had cut up along with his long-term coach Angela Cullen after seven years collectively.
Verstappen received the opening race of the season two weeks in the past in Bahrain, main a Crimson Bull one-two to reassert their dominance on the monitor. Hamilton completed again in fifth place, over 50 seconds off the tempo.
