For months F1 community has spammed social media with speculations regarding the Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes contract. The negotiation saga took unusually long, culminating in the pair extending their contract for an unexpected term of one-year.
David Croft, Sky Sport’s F1 commentator, believes the term of the contract is a genius move by Toto Wolff. Unlike his previous multi-year contracts, this deal was for one year and there is no option of extension. This leaves Mercedes at a potential advantage towards the end of next season.
Toto Wolff clarified that there was never a doubt about signing Hamilton. However, explained that the delay was because of the pandemic and there really wasn’t any urgency to the matter.
Lewis & Mercedes agree a new deal but it’s only for 1 year Which means that the contracts for both Lewis & Valtteri run out at the end of this season as does George’s at Williams. 3 drivers chasing 2 seats at Merc & all out of contract. You could argue that’s a smart move by Toto
— David Croft (@CroftyF1) February 8, 2021
But according to Croft, the deal was a genius move on Wolff’s part. This contract ensures that at the end of the season, the team will have two empty seats and they will have three drivers gunning for them – Hamilton, Bottas, and George Russell.
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What could change between Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes’ next negotiation?
Toto Wolff explained the reasons for the delay and stated that they will have the 2022 conversation after this season. He also laid down the plans to start the next session of negotiations earlier and pointed out the factors that prevented a long-term commitment.
“There are uncertainties in the world that affect the way that the sport can operate and they can have an influence on our revenue, on TV money, on sponsorship income,” he said.
The technical regulations starting from 2022 must have been another factor for a short-term deal. Wolff also put down the rumors that Hamilton was pitching for a veto on his future teammate. According to the Austrian, the rumor about the revenue split was also baseless.
This year is going to be extremely important for Lewis Hamilton to claim his eighth world title.
Do you believe Hamilton will leave the sport at the end of the season, and George Russell will claim a Mercedes seat at the end of 2021?
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