Ferrari has admitted that they have held talks with world champion Lewis Hamilton about joining their team in the future.
At a media lunch, Ferrari chief executive officer (CEO) Louis Carey Camilleri admitted that chairman John Elkann has had "conversations" with British driver Lewis Hamilton.
According to Camilleri they were "very flattered Lewis in particular, and other drivers, want to join us." He added: "It's totally premature - we'll look at our options at the appropriate time and see what is the best fit."
He mentioned that the meeting between Elkann and Hamilton was at "a social event, which has been blown somewhat out of proportion - they have some common friends". Hamilton, who will be turning 35 years old next month, will be aiming for a record-tying seventh world title in 2020.
Hamilton's contract with Mercedes will also expire next season. At the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he remarked that it was "smart and wise" to consider his next move carefully.
"I love where I am, so it is definitely not a quick decision to go and do something else," he said.
Hamilton has mentioned that he was "waiting to see" whether Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff remained with the team as Wolff is expected to be a potential replacement for F1 chief executive Chase Carey in 2021.
Camilleri has expressed that Ferrari could use its veto to block any move by Wolff to run F1. He said: "Anybody who has been an active and important player in a certain team within the last years to take on the responsibility at F1 would create a conflict of interest."
"It would not be a good thing [that Wolff] should ultimately run F1. Our position is if [Ferrari team principal] Mattia Binotto was the candidate to replace Chase, the rest of the paddock would not be too happy," Camilleri added.
