F1 pundit claims Mercedes ‘might sign’ Charles Leclerc if Lewis Hamilton decides to retire after 2024

Lewis Hamilton has been with the Mercedes F1 team since 2013.

F1 pundit claims Mercedes ‘might sign’ Charles Leclerc if Lewis Hamilton decides to retire after 2024

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc (Via: Imago)

The Mercedes team is one of the top outfits in F1. Since 2013, it has experienced tremendous success and the major contribution to it has been of its legendary driver, Lewis Hamilton. However, as per F1 pundit, Peter Windsor, the Brackley-based team could look to sign Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc if Hamilton decides to retire at the end of this year.

Mercedes has not been able to provide Lewis Hamilton with a championship-worthy car since the end of 2021. Peter Windsor feels that if the same happens again, the Brit might decide to bring the shutter down on his glorious career.

YouTube video

While shedding light on the same and Leclerc’s Mercedes prospects, Windsor said, as reported by F1Oversteer:

FS Video
I don’t think Lewis [Hamilton] will race too much longer if the Mercedes isn’t a great car this year. So, then you might see [Charles] Leclerc going to Mercedes and if Lewis announces his retirement early enough if he does, I’m not saying he does, but if the car’s not very good, Leclerc might go there.

Looking at the reaction of Windsor, he has put forward an extremely fascinating prospect that is sure to make the die-hard F1 fans dwell on it. If it ever happens, Leclerc in a Mercedes race suit, would be a mouthwatering sight.

Charles Leclerc could sign a long-term deal at Ferrari

While Peter Windsor has suggested that Toto Wolff and Co. could look to sign Charles Leclerc, in case, Lewis Hamilton retires, as per several reports, the Moneagsque could sign a long-term contract at Ferrari in the upcoming months. Moreover, it is believed to be a contract until the end of the 2029 F1 season.

Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc (via IMAGO)

Ferrari views Leclerc as their most prized possession and is very well aware of the interest he generates from other teams within the F1 paddock. Thus, it is in the best interest of the Maranello-based-team, that they tie down the 26-year-old as early as possible.

His current deal is slated to come to a close at the end of the 2024 F1 season. Leclerc is rated extremely highly by the fans, the media, and the F1 pundits and is seen by several in the same light as that of world champions like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

Last year did not prove very fruitful for Charles Leclerc and considering this, he will want to have a more productive/rewarding campaign this time around.

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