Oct.14 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has admitted his manager had talks with Ferrari.

After six years with McLaren, the 2008 world champion went on the driver market for 2013 and has ultimately joined Mercedes.

But an interviewer for the Spanish sports daily AS asked Hamilton if it is true that switching to Ferrari was at some point among the Briton's options.

"Every driver dreams of driving a Ferrari, because it is a very prestigious team, with a great story, very passionate fans and they make competitive cars," Hamilton answered.

"But I am very happy to go to Mercedes and satisfied to have spent some wonderful years at McLaren.

"I think my manager spoke with Ferrari, yes, it's true, but I don't what know kind of conversation they had," added Hamilton.

He admitted he hopes Ferrari's Alonso - his former McLaren teammate - beats Sebastian Vettel to the world championship.

"I still think Fernando is the best driver. The cleanest, the most sensitive, the most complete," said Hamilton.

"He is always taking points despite not having the fastest car, while Vettel has always had a great car these past years," he added.

But the Briton admitted: "With his (Red Bull) car, he is going to be hard to beat, even for Fernando."

Finally, after years of acrimony from Spanish supporters, the interviewer told Hamilton that Spain now "respects" the 27-year-old.

"Really?" Hamilton responded. "Are you serious? You don't know how happy that makes me."

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version

F1 News  F1 Schedule  F1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  F1 Tickets  Live F1 Coverage

Full Version: Formula 1 News  Formula 1 Schedule  Formula 1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  Live F1 Coverage  10 'n' Pole  F1 Regulations  The Forums  Motorsport Shop  F1 Merchandise  F1 Tickets  F1 Diecast  F1 Videos  F1 Games