Lewis Hamilton slams Ferrari as Mercedes star makes Sebastian Vettel F1 future prediction
Lewis Hamilton thinks Ferrari have let Sebastian Vettel down and he's backing his rival to join Racing Point.
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Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari have failed to deliver the goods for rival Sebastian Vettel and he's backing the four-time F1 champion to put off retirement to seal a move to Racing Point. Vettel will leave the Italians this winter after they opted against extending his contract.
The 33-year-old's options have dwindled since his exit was announced, with Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren and Renault all deciding to move forward with other drivers for 2021.
A seat at Racing Point, though, is an enticing proposition for Vettel if he opts against retirement, particularly since their RP20 car appears a cut above Ferrari's SF1000.
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Vettel is in for another season of disappointment with Ferrari after years of trailing in Hamilton and Mercedes' wake.
And reigning champion Hamilton, who's good friends with his long-time rival, believes Mattia Binotto's team have failed their former talisman.
"Right now I think he is not being given the platform to shine," Hamilton told Sky Sport in Germany.
"His team are putting his light a little bit in the shadow and you need a team that uplifts you, you need to support each other."
Vettel has been tipped by some to consider retirement after proving unable to add to the four World Drivers' Championship titles he won with Red Bull.
But Hamilton says the German has plenty more to offer and is eager to see him rock up at Racing Point.
"I’m excited for his future," said Hamilton. "I honestly hope he gets to go to Racing Point.
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"They have a plan and a car with potential. He has the chance to lead them somewhere – he’s not done yet."
Speculation over a prospective move to Racing Point has ramped up this week after Vettel shared a ride with their team principal Otmar Szafnauer after last Sunday's British Grand Prix.
Vettel was happy to joke about the encounter but urged people not to read too much into it as speculation over his future mounts.
"Well I signed something, I’m not sure – he told me it was a waiver in case he crashed," said Vettel. "That was a joke – just making sure because nowadays people get everything a bit wrong.
"From my side, there’s no news, nothing to announce. I’ve known Otmar for a long time and I’ve been in his car before but nobody was interested… If you speak to the people that you know, that’s not uncommon."
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