Mercedes will present its new car next March 2nd and before he must make official what his lineup will be for 2021. With Valtteri Bottas as the only confirmed pilot, Mercedes try to bring positions closer with a Lewis Hamilton that has been more demanding than ever in the negotiation. Despite this, the Briton has had to swallow a non-negotiable clause for his team. And it is that Mercedes will only offer a contract for one season to Hamilton, although with the option to extend it one more season.
After the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus, Daimler, the company that owns Mercedes, has suffered millionaire losses that have forced him to reduce his workforce in order to settle his accounts. This panorama has made the renovation of Lewis Hamilton, who is the highest paid driver in Formula 1. Although his rivals have had to adjust their salaries, the Briton wants to take advantage of his status as seven-time champion to sign an even better contract. “I am going to enter what is potentially my last stage in this sport and of course I want to maximize economic performance”, Admitted Hamilton without any shame.
Before the good work of George Russell during the Sakhir Grand Prix, where he relieved Lewis Hamilton After his positive for coronavirus, Daimler consider that it may be a good time to give this pilot of 22 years. While Hamilton charges more than 40 million Euros, Russell’s salary is much lower, which would be a relief for Merdeces.
Hamilton’s demands
Lewis Hamilton, for his part, wants to have the option to block the arrival of George Russell, or that of any other driver in 2022 if the team decides to dispense with Bottas. Beyond economic issues, this would be another of the demands of the seven-time champion to renew with Mercedes. And it is that, in the own German team they recognize that joining Hamilton with Russell would be “too wild”. This request from the British would also be behind Mercedes’ intention to offer him only one year of contract.
However, Lewis Hamilton has publicly praised the work of George Russell: “What he has done is similar in a way to what Alonso did.” “Many talented drivers have to start in a smaller team, to later have the opportunity to grow, improve, make mistakes and then lead a team from there”, He began saying.
“I think this year, it was great how he handled everything and what he did with that car. Putting it in Q2 quite often and delivering great results is not easy at all, ”continued Hamilton. “I am really impressed with his ability to manage races and how he is growing and I really believe that he is the future. There are several drivers who are the future of this sport, but he is one of them and I am very excited to see his progression. I have no doubt that he has the potential to be a future champion”, It ended.
Even so Lewis Hamilton feels very comfortable with Bottas as a partner, for whom he has publicly broken a spear: “When I talk about people needing to give Valtteri their due respect, I think you have to remember who he is up against. It’s not easy being my teammate. But he comes on the weekends, with the same mentality. He never complains that something is wrong with the car. It’s always just: ‘I have to do a better job.’
Hamilton’s economic claims
The last to speak about it was Stefano Domenicalli. According to the new president of Formula 1, he does not believe that the lack of understanding between both parties is due to an economic issue. “I think they are talking about many things. I am sure Lewis wants to understand many points regarding his future.”Domenicalli began by saying. “I would like to see him still very involved in Formula 1. It is your life, maybe it will be your life in the future, or you may be interested in other things. We can see today that he has many interests. There are many points. I don’t think it’s related only to his salary. It is more related to what they have in mind to continue together in the future, I think that is the reason, “he concluded.
Along the same lines, Marc Priestley, a former McLaren mechanic, pointed out a few weeks ago: “I am not one of those people who does not believe the rumors on the Internet about someone who says they know they want a couple of extra zeros added to their salary, or who wants a free car. How the hell does anyone know that? It’s about private negotiationsUnless someone specifically leaked it, which is hard for me to believe. “So I hope a successful conclusion will be reached, but definitely there is something that smells bad and surely they are finding difficult aspects to overcome”, He added.
More critical of Hamilton has been Ralf Schumacher. “We are in February and the most important man in Formula 1, the seven-time world champion, has not yet been confirmed as a driver. I find it a shame and an embarrassing situation. I keep hearing it’s about money but I hope it’s not true. Hamilton, en particular, dI must know that in this age you cannot demand one hundred percent”, Confirmed the German.
“Hamilton should also know that Formula 1 is bigger than any individual. Perhaps Hamilton needs to wake up now too. There is still a risk that Mercedes will put George Russell in that car. Hamilton should never forget that”Concluded Michael’s brother.