Damon Hill reveals the REAL reason behind Lewis Hamilton’s contract extension uncertainty
Lewis Hamilton has six months left on his current contract with Mercedes.
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Damon Hill and Lewis Hamilton (Images via Evolve Agency and Bleacher Report)
The 1996 Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill has shed light on Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton’s contract extension. Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes will expire at the end of the 2023 F1 season. The team and their driver have not struck a new deal yet. There have been rumors regarding Hamilton’s move to another team and also retirement due to this reason.
However, the Briton and the team boss Toto Wolff want to continue their partnership. Time and again, Lewis Hamilton has stated that Mercedes is his home. The Mercedes driver and his team principal are on the same page and want to extend their contract. This should make the negotiations easier, but they have been dragging it for months. Damon Hill has an explanation as to why it is taking so long.
Damon Hill believes it is due to Mercedes’ bureaucracy that they have not finalized a deal yet. The Sky Sports F1 pundit stated, “The talk is that Lewis is finalizing a much longer-term deal that goes beyond his racing career. The car company itself is involved, so there is a bit more bureaucracy in this deal.” He claims it could be complicated due to the administrative procedures. Hamilton’s role in the team goes beyond being a driver.
Damon Hill says Lewis Hamilton needs a competitive car
Damon Hill added that Hamilton is starting to gel with the car and has solved some of the problems he faced with it. The 62-year-old credited the Mercedes driver for his motivation and longevity. Hill said, “He [Hamilton] needs a competitive car, half-a-chance, and someone like Lewis will rise up to that challenge and find more in himself.” The F1 analyst believes Hamilton is happier now, and it would help him achieve his goals.
The focus lies in Hamilton’s contract extension though. In Montreal, the Briton was asked if he had an update on his future. Hamilton said it will get done when it’s done. The seven-time world champion added that it doesn’t bother him how long it takes. Despite all that, Hamilton had a back-to-back podium finish in Spain and Canada. This is a promising result for the team, as the major updates seem to work.
Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Toto Wolff said they would announce Lewis Hamilton’s contract soon. The pair share a strong bond and have achieved success over the past ten years. Both Hamilton and the Silver Arrows have the same goal, to extend their deal and focus on winning another championship. Though they have not put pen to paper, it is understood that talks are in progress.
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Sugantha Meena
(493 Articles Published)