McLaren F1 open to re-signing Lewis Hamilton

McLaren has confirmed its interest in re-signing Lewis Hamilton for the 2019 Formula 1 season should the four-time world champion opt to leave Mercedes.

Hamilton has entered the final year of his contract with Mercedes, the team he has raced for since 2013, and is the highest-profile driver who is currently a free agent for next season.

Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff has stressed he sees no reason why Hamilton will not extend his stint with Mercedes, having won three world titles with the team in the last four years and spearheaded its domination of the sport.

However, should Hamilton wish to take on a new challenge in F1 outside of Mercedes, McLaren executive director Zak Brown confirmed he would be open to bringing the Briton back to the team where he raced between 2007 and 2012.

"I don’t think there’s a team in the pitlane that wouldn’t be interested in having Lewis drive for them, us included,” Brown said, as quoted by Reuters.

“If anyone got Lewis, it would be great for the team. He has a great history here and he is very friendly with the shareholders."

Brown believes much of Hamilton's decision about his future depends on how long he wants to continue racing in F1, having already taken steps to exploring interests outside of racing for when he retires in fashion and music.

”I am going to guess that he’s contemplating how much longer he wants to go. If you’re Lewis, with what you’ve done with Mercedes and where Mercedes are headed, you’d re-sign with the team," Brown said.

”He’s talked about when he stops, so that would be my guess. I can’t imagine it’s money or the quality of the team.

”He just might be going ‘let me see how this year goes, what’s the rush? They’re not going to sell the seat from underneath me’. That would be my speculation.

“We might find they actually have signed and are just not telling us.”

Hamilton was handed his F1 debut by McLaren in 2007 before clinching his first world title with the team the following year, but left at the end of the 2012 season in order to link up with Mercedes.