Three F1 teams Lewis Hamilton could join with ‘sulking’ star ‘pondering Mercedes exit’

LEWIS HAMILTON could survey his options if Mercedes fail to pick up the pace this season.

Mercedes’ persistent porpoising issues will have left Lewis Hamilton ‘sulking’ in team meetings, according to former F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen. So much so, in fact, that the Finn claims he will be thinking about joining a new team. Hamilton has not been on the move since 2013 and with seven world titles under his belt, he should theoretically have the pick of the paddock, but in reality, he may only have three options.

Hamilton kicked off the 2022 season with an unlikely podium in Bahrain before a disastrous P10 in Saudi Arabia and a fourth-place finish behind George Russell in Melbourne. That has left the Silver Arrows youngster, who only made the huge step up from Williams this year, ahead after three races.

The all-British partnership appears to be a happy one, but things are not going to plan on track. Mercedes are well off the pace and, with their crack team of engineers unable to get on top of their performance issues, Russell and Hamilton have been left unable to compete at the top.

Hakkinen claims it is a ‘fact’ that the latter will be thinking about his options. Express Sport looks at three teams that may be on his mind:

Red Bull

After the bitter and intense rivalry in 2021, switching Mercedes for Red Bull may be considered unthinkable by many. But in some ways, it is also the most logical. Max Verstappen is indispensable for Christian Horner and recently tied down his future with a bumper new contract, but sidekick Sergio Perez is out of contract at the end of this season.

It wouldn’t be the first time that Hamilton has flirted with a Red Bull move, as Horner previously claimed that talks were held while he was still at McLaren. Such a move would be one of the sport’s great stories after a fearsome battle last year, and it would also set up a timeless partnership with Verstappen. Though it’s probably sensible to avoid putting any money on that happening.