Six-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton says it is “only smart and wise” to consider his future amid increased speculation linking him with a potential move to Ferrari.

Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes runs until the end of the 2020 season and the Briton has been linked with a possible switch to Maranello over recent months.

The rumour mill ramped up at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix finale after Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said knowing Hamilton is available for 2021 can only make the Scuderia “happy”, while reports in Italian media claimed Hamilton had met Ferrari chairman John Elkann on more than one occasion during 2019.

Speaking about the speculation, Hamilton, who turns 35 this month, reiterated that he is happy at Mercedes but will take time to consider his next career step.

“Naturally everything that happens behind closed doors is obviously always private with whoever it is you end up sitting with,” Hamilton said.

“But I think for many, many years I’ve never ever sat down and considered other options, because we’ve just driving straight ahead into the path that we’ve been on and the journey that we’ve been on.

“To be honest, I still think we’re on that path and I think there’s very little that’s going to shift it from that.

"But I think there’s no harm in… I know Toto [Wolff] is also looking at his options in terms of his future and only he will know what is the best thing for him and his family. So I’m waiting to see what he’s doing with that.

“I love where I am so it’s definitely not a quick decision to do something else, but of course I think it’s only smart and wise for me to sit and think of what I want, if it is the last period or stage in my career.

“Actually I want to keep winning,” he added. “I want to keep being able to fight with these guys [Ferrari and Red Bull] as well. I can’t really tell you what else is going to happen moving forwards."