Report: Ferrari prepared to offer Hamilton £40M to leave Mercedes

Ferrari is willing to offer seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton a £40-million deal when his contract with Mercedes expires at the end of this year, according to Jonathan McEvoy of the Daily Mail.

Ferrari president John Elkann has reportedly been in close contact with Hamilton.

The team would prefer to partner Charles Leclerc with Hamilton but is also OK with letting Leclerc go to see a tandem of Carlos Sainz and Hamilton next season, sources told McEvoy.

The latter scenario could reportedly end in Leclerc replacing Hamilton at Mercedes to drive with George Russell.

Money won't be a factor for Hamilton, as both Ferrari and Mercedes can offer him a similar salary, according to McEvoy.

Hamilton, 38, joined Mercedes in 2013 after a six-year run with McLaren to start his storied F1 career.