David Coulthard gives an intriguing take on the complexities around Lewis Hamilton’s contract negotiations with Mercedes

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff recently stated that only some minor details were left in Hamilton's new agreement, but still no deal has been finalized.


David Coulthard gives an intriguing take on the complexities around Lewis Hamilton’s contract negotiations with Mercedes

David Coulthard ( Credits: TheSportsRush) and Lewis Hamilton (Credits: Motorsport.com)

Lewis Hamilton’s current contract with Mercedes runs until the end of 2023. While it is well known that both parties are looking for a renewal, the saga still seems to be far from its end. Former F1 driver David Coulthard has revealed the reason for the negotiations to have been stretched out for so long.

The seven-time world champion is probably the most well-known and respected driver on the grid currently. Coulthard said that Mercedes must have taken many sponsorships riding on the shoulders of Hamilton and must be expecting more from him than he is willing to give. He said that Hamilton’s signing goes far beyond him just driving for the team.

YouTube video

“Mercedes will want a certain amount of time from Lewis for their partners… Perhaps Lewis might be wanting to do fewer days or have fewer commitments? Mercedes are buying more than just Lewis’ driving services. They are buying his promotional image and his PR image,” Coulthard was quoted by SilverArrows.net.

FS Video

While Coulthard pointed out these difficulties, he also stated that it was very unlikely that these obstacles would stand in the way of Hamilton’s renewal. Hamilton has been with Mercedes since 2013 and has won six out of his seven championships.

In case you missed it: Three-times Le Mans winner names ‘the perfect teammate’ for Max Verstappen at Red Bull

David Coulthard is confident that Lewis Hamilton will not ditch Mercedes

lewis and toto mm (1)
Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff (Credits: formula1news.co.uk)

The former Red Bull driver doesn’t see any realistic chance where the seven times world champion leaving the team if not for a major fallout. He claimed that Hamilton would keep his place in the team even if he had a fallout with boss Toto Wolff as the British driver had been associated with Mercedes’s parent company, Daimer, way before the team principal.

I don’t think there is any realistic chance that Lewis will leave Mercedes unless there is a major fallout. And I can’t see that happening. Who would the major fallout be with? Even if it was with Toto, Lewis’ relationship with Mercedes’ parent company Daimler is much longer than Toto’s emergence as team principal of Mercedes,” Hamilton said.

Losing an athlete with massive social influence might also affect Formula One, considering he has the charisma and marketability no other drivers can match. His exploits outside of F1 in fashion and other industries get the attention of the sport that they might never get if Hamilton wasn’t around.

Keep reading: