Lewis Hamilton is heading into the 2018 Formula One season looking for what would be a historic fifth world title.

Success would move him into joint-second on the all-time list alongside Juan Manuel Fangio and two titles behind Michael Schumacher's record.

That's a level of standing that remarkably few have ever managed in the sport and Hamilton will rightly go down as one of the greatest drivers ever - so it's hardly a surprise that Mercedes are so eager to tie him down to a huge new contract.

He's not, however, the only driver in F1 going into the season on four world titles; Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel is also looking to make history.

The two clashed throughout the 2017 season, with some of it being quite ugly, and they're both expected to fight for this year's title, too.

Having four world titles and being at the top of the sport aren't the only major similarities the men share though, as they should also be negotiating their next deals at the same time.

That's led to speculation that Ferrari could try and tempt the Brit away from Mercedes, with even Mercedes boss Toto Wolff conceding that Hamilton could make the jump to Italy.

"Of course, I’d like to keep him with us for as long as possible," said Wolff. "But he has at least one more contract in him after this next one and Ferrari remain an attraction for every driver."

The prospect of Hamilton to Ferrari is definitely just speculation for now, though.

In an interview with ESPN, the reigning world champion explained how he's never had contact with them - and he thinks he knows why.

"I've never made Ferrari aware that I wanted to race for them, so it doesn't really surprise me [that there's been no contact]," said Hamilton. "I'm not really bothered by it and I still have respect for that team."

And despite all the hype, the chance of seeing him in red may not be as likely as most think, with the F1's oldest team not being quite the draw for Hamilton as it is for some.

"It was never something for me as a kid to have the goal to get to Ferrari," he said. "It was just to get to Formula One."

So it appears to be more of a dream for fans than it does for Hamilton, but then we'll see if he can really resist the lure of Ferrari if and when the time comes.