LEWIS HAMILTON made an look at Coachella final week, wearing vibrant yellow and orange apparel that made him stand out from the gang within the Southern Californian desert. Though he loved himself, the negotiations relating to his Mercedes contract had been placed on maintain. Hamilton’s contract expires in 255 days, and there’s nonetheless time for negotiations, however given the variety of upcoming F1 races, it could change into difficult. In 2021, Hamilton made a cope with Mercedes in February after being out of contract for a while. Hamilton has already acknowledged his want to stick with the workforce. Nevertheless, the negotiation delay means that the contract size and quantity paid could possibly be the reason for the deadlock.
Hamilton is at present one of many best-paid drivers on the grid, incomes round £40 million a yr, and he’s conscious of his worth to Mercedes by way of promoting. Nonetheless, at 38 years of age, Mercedes might not really feel it essential to pay him the identical sums he obtained prior to now. In F1, there’s a restrict on the variety of seats accessible, however Hamilton might simply get a spot on any workforce, excluding Crimson Bull. Moreover, Hamilton might take into account venturing into different motorsport classes, however this appears unlikely. Mercedes would want to preserve Hamilton, and their relationship is clear and open. George Russell is performing properly, and Mercedes views him as a beneficial asset, however Hamilton’s expertise and suggestions are equally important to the workforce’s success. Ought to Hamilton not renew his contract, Mick Schumacher can be a straightforward substitute, however one other seemingly possibility can be Lando Norris, who has a McLaren contract till 2025. Mercedes would undoubtedly discover all avenues.
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