Lewis Hamilton: “Everyone is trying to leave their team” to join Mercedes

Hamilton is out of contract with the Silver Arrows, as is teammate Valtteri Bottas, for 2021, as well as Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen producing an interesting situation for who will be driving for who.
 
The Briton said at the FIA end-of-season awards that one of the drivers who had been on stage had been in contact with Wolff about a possible seat, as Verstappen, who had been up earlier, was linked with a move earlier in the year.
 
“It’s an interesting time because there’s a lot of drivers who are seeking positions everywhere,” said Hamilton. 

“I’m talking about the calls Toto gets from every driver, including the one who was up here just recently, asking to come. 

“Everyone is trying to leave their team to come to where we are. Which is an understandable thing because everyone wants to win, they all want to be a part of a winning formula. 

“But I don't think it's a stressful thing at the moment. There's always a clear pathway of communication between myself and Toto. There's never been any secrets and that won't change.”

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto commented at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix about Hamilton’s availability in 2021 but the Briton is keen on remaining where he won five of his World Championships.

“I love where I am and I love the people that I work with,” he added.

“So it’s really difficult to walk away from something you love as much as I do. 

“The team, the organisation, all the way through to the bosses. 

“I’ve been with Mercedes since I was 13 so it’s really hard to imagine myself anywhere else. 

“What we’ve built in the last seven years, obviously Mercedes has been working longer than that, it’s dominant, it’s a strong force.

“I think it’s taken us time to build that, the strength in depth, the consistency we have. It’s not something that’s come overnight. 

“The other teams currently don’t have the elements we have in place. And it takes time to build those things.”