Aston Martin owner Lawre🔜nce Stroll says the possibility of making a sensational move to sign seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton when his Mercedes deal expires is “definitely tempting”.

Following months o🌞f delays, Hamilton finally agreed a new deal to remain with Mercedes for the upcomingꦬ campaign but his contract expires at the end of the year, meaning he is on the market for 2022.

Aston Martin ꦗhas already made a huge statement of intent by signing four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel after his departure from Ferrari, and Stroll admitted that he would be tempted to make an offer for Hamilton should the 36-year-old decide n𝓡ot to commit to Mercedes.

“It is definitely tempting,” Stroll told the . “Lewis in any car is gre𓆉at, and I am🍨 sure everyone would say yes because he is a seven-time world champion.

“But right now, I am extremely focused on getting started t𝔉his year.”

The Canadian billionaire businessman has faced criticism for retaining his son Lance Stroll - who scored his first pole position in 2020 and achieved his best F1 season to date by finishing 11th in the🔯 championship - ahead of Sergio Perez when the team moved to sign Vettel last year, but he has brushed aside the backlash as jealousy.

“There are a lot of jealous people in the world a💖nd jealous people, who wish they were there in Lance’s position, do and say silly things,” he said. “I don’t pay much attention to it, and neither does Lance.

“Do I think Lance is talented? I♓ think he is immensely talented. I have no doubt he has demonstrated that he has world championship blood in him.

“Everything is equal when you get to the ring, and he showed thatܫ by putting🔯 it on pole in the rain in Turkey last year when the playing field was level. There are not many people who can do that.”

Stroll also praised F1’s decision to introduce a budget 🔯cap for the first t♈ime in the sport’s history, and believes it will enable teams like Aston Martin to thrive in the future.

“From a competitive point of view, the budget🦩 cap changes the sport dramatically,” he explained.

“The big three teams were significantly outspending everyone and probably had 400-500✅ more staff. All of that has now gone.

“Here, we are building a brand n📖ew state-of-the-art facility. It will be the most modern facility in Formula 1.

“This team has punched above its weight with significantly less resources, and I sincerely believe with the same amount of people and the same budget, there is no reason why w♒orld championships are not very much on the cards. It is very realistic to think that.”