Is Lewis Hamilton packing his bags for Ferrari? Former F1 driver casts doubt on Mercedes future

Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert has raised questions about Lewis Hamilton's future with Mercedes and suggested that he may switch to Ferrari if Mercedes fails to improve their form in the upcoming 2023 F1 season.

Herbert believes that Hamilton's future with Mercedes will depend on the team's progress going forward.

"Can they turn it around? If that doesn't work and Lewis still has the fire in his belly and thinks this is not the place for him, where does he go?" Herbert told Standard Sport.

While Ferrari could be an option for Hamilton, Herbert cautioned that time may be a hindrance to any possible switch.

"Would he feel he could take his energy and people from Mercedes there like Michael Schumacher did and actually change and steer it in a positive way? The problem with that is time," he said.

Herbert also pointed out that Hamilton's discomfort with simulator training could pose a challenge for the 38-year-old.

"The majority of the young generation of great drivers on the grid have something that Lewis has never been comfortable with and want to put all their energies in, which is the simulator stuff," Herbert said.

Despite this, Herbert still thinks that Hamilton has the skill and drive to claim an eighth World Championship. He also expects Hamilton's teammate, George Russell, to continue to challenge him.

"George has been able to challenge him and put him under a lot of pressure," Herbert added.

"George is going to be tough for Max Verstappen when he gets the right car. I think Lando Norris is the same [when] given the right car."

Herbert's comments imply that Hamilton's future with Mercedes is uncertain, and while switching to Ferrari could be an option, time constraints could make it difficult.