Lewis Hamilton conversation details over Ferrari move shared by close F1 ally

Details of Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari moves have been shared by an F1 insider.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton sprays Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel with champagne on the podium at the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix.
Former McLaren communications chief Matt Bishop said Lewis Hamilton first told him in 2015 that he wanted to end his Formula 1 career at Ferrari. Hamilton rocked the F1 world last week when he announced he would leave Mercedes for Ferrari at the end of 2024 after agreeing a two-year contract extension with the Silver Arrows last August.
His departure ends one of the greatest team-driver partnerships in the sport’s history, with Hamilton winning six of seven world championships with Mercedes since joining from McLaren in 2013.
Lewis Hamilton revealed his Ferrari dream in 2015.
The British driver witnessed Formula 1 superstar Hamilton’s reign at McLaren in a highly dramatic season finale in Brazil in 2008, beating Ferrari star Felipe Massa by a point to take his first victory. In his motorsport column, Bishop recalled a conversation he had with Hamilton at the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix, when the Mercedes driver won his third title.
Bishop: “Do you plan to stay at Mercedes until you retire from F1?” Hamilton replied: “I’d like to drive for Ferrari one day.” “It would be a good way to end my F1 career, wouldn’t it? Win the championship for McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari?
Bisskop also recalled Hamilton’s enduring love for McLaren, which led him to make his F1 debut in 2007 at the age of 22 alongside two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. Their conversation came just hours after Alonso badmouthed Honda’s engine on team radio, but Bishop recalls Hamilton probing the extent of McLaren’s problems.
“You look really bad. Are Hondas that useless? Hamilton reportedly said before the news broke that McLaren continued to monitor his results during qualifying.
“Strange.” He continued to speak. “When I look at the lap times in qualifying, first I see where Nico (Mercedes team-mate Rosberg) is, then I see where Seb (Vettel) is and I’m always waiting for you.
“I know you’re not a threat to us now, but I’ll still take care of you.”
When asked by Bishop if he planned to return to McLaren in the future, Hamilton replied: “I don’t know.” Never go back. Yes?
“Sometimes you feel like you’ve been in one place for too long and you need a change.”