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Domenicali confirms Ferrari's past effort to sign Hamilton

F1 boss and former Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali confirmed that the Scuderia had indeed once held talks with Lewis Hamilton.

In Russia, Hamilton alluded to talks held in the past with Ferrari's top brass, admitting that in hindsight, he felt "amazed" that he had never actually signed with the Scuderia given his life-long infatuation with the legendary prancing horse.

"It’s pretty amazing I’ve never driven for Ferrari after so many years because it’s a dream for everyone, a goal to be achieved," said the seven-time world champion.

"It’s never really been possible and I will never quite know exactly why."

Asked in an interview with Sky Sports Craig Slater about any tentative talks between Ferrari and Hamilton, Domenicali said: "To be honest, yes. This is true. We've discussed that."

However the Italian, who led Ferrari from 2008 to 2014, didn't elaborate on the reasons why the two parties never sealed a deal.

"I think that the answer that Lewis was able to give is the right one," added Domenicali. "Today, I think that period has passed.

"There is a movie that for me sometimes is very important to remember: 'Sliding Doors'. There are moments where if you don't get into an elevator, you stay on the floor.

"I don't know. That was the situation that Lewis lived in that specific time of his life. I think that [we] cannot blame his choice, at least, because he did an incredible career."

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Michael Delaney

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