Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur says he's been talking to Lewis Hamilton about potentially joining his side 'for 20 years'.
The Mercedes star is contracted to the Silver Arrows until 2025 after signing a new contract earlier in the year.
Hamilton has, however, struggled over the past two years.
The Stevenage-born star is yet to win a race since losing to Max Verstappen at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix back in 2021.
F1 news: Lewis Hamilton is still unlikely to join Ferrari despite talks being confirmed
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He has been forced to watch his rival dominate, with Verstappen winning the last three F1 crowns.
With Hamilton struggling to scale the same heights of old, that's led to uncertainty over his long-term future.
And Vasseur has now admitted that, while talks have taken place with Hamilton, it's unlikely the Briton will ever end up coming.
"A possible arrival at Maranello? We have been talking for twenty years," he said, per Corriere dello Sport.
"If every time we had a chat we had signed a contract it would have cost me a fortune."
Hamilton recently found himself being scrutinised following bombshell claims by Christian Horner.
Horner said a member of the Briton's team had contacted him about the possibility of Hamilton joining Red Bull.
The 50-year-old said last month: "We have had several conversations over the years about Lewis joining.
"They have reached out a few times.
"Most recently, earlier in the year, there was an inquiry about whether there would be any interest.
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"He met John Elkann (Ferrari chairman), too. I think there were serious talks.
"It was around Monaco (in May). There were definitely conversations, perhaps with Vasseur, too. But certainly with Elkann.
"But I can't see Max and Lewis working out together.
"The dynamic wouldn't be right. We are 100 per cent happy with what we have."
Yet Hamilton hit back and insisted it was Horner, instead of himself, who sought the discussions.
"I don't really know where that story has come from," he told Sky Sports.
"I don't really understand what he's been talking about.
"As far as I'm concerned no-one from my team has spoken to Christian, I haven't spoken to Christian really in years.
"However, he did reach out to me earlier in the year about meeting up.
"That said I congratulated them on an amazing year and said I hope I'll be able to fight against you guys in the near future.
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F1 news: Fred Vasseur has confirmed talks with Lewis Hamilton but nothing imminent seems likely
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"That was it. I'm not really sure. I think he's just stirring things."
Hamilton is now spending some time resting as he looks to boost his chances of winning the F1 title next year.
A third year in a row without a single triumph to celebrate was something that seemed unfeasible just a few years ago.
And whether Hamilton and Mercedes can reel in their rivals remains to be seen.