Former F1 driver casts DOUBT over Hamilton and Mercedes new deal and links move to rivals

Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert has urged Lewis Hamilton to ditch Mercedes for Ferrari, who he believes have "a hell of a lot of potential" compared to the Silver Arrows.

Hamilton's contract extension – or currently lack of – has been on everyone's lips in recent weeks. The 38-year-old will currently be a free agent at the end of the season and rumours began to swirl over a sensational move to Ferrari.

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Team principal Toto Wolff and Hamilton have both moved to quash the news, yet Herbert believes that there is still a chance that the seven-time world champion joins Ferrari – something that he believes would be a sensible move.

Herbert: 'Mercedes are way behind the curve'

Speaking ahead of the race in Montreal, he told OLBG: "Hamilton has been on the verge of signing [a new deal at Mercedes] for about a month or more, but I am still thinking there is this Ferrari chance.

"I know they have denied it, but the deal hasn’t been done at Mercedes. They keep saying it’s close. I wonder if there is still something else going on outside this.

"I think it is worth a punt by Lewis as I see it that Mercedes, despite the improvement in Barcelona, are still way behind the curve when it comes to challenging Red Bull and to winning races.

"Ferrari have a hell of a lot of potential which they can bring to the table. I still have a question mark about Mercedes Benz at this time."

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