BEVERLY HILLS, December 18, (THEWILL) – Formula One motor racing team Mercedes says it could wait until the eve of 2021 F1 pre-season testing to firm up a new contract for their star driver, Lewis Hamilton.
British world champion Hamilton’s current deal expires this year. Everything points to him remaining at the German car manufacturer. And, under normal circumstances, contracts are sorted out at this period, but the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the agreeing of terms between Mercedes and Hamilton.
Signing a fresh contract was further stretched by other engagements which held the attention of Mercedes Team Principal and boss Toto Wolff. The 48-year-old had been mostly preoccupied with agreeing to his own contract extension.
On Friday, Mercedes announced that Wolff will remain on board for the next three years, and revealed a new shareholding arrangement with chemical company INEOS as reported earlier by THEWILL.
Having sorted out his own future, on Friday, Wolff addressed concerns about settling the contract situation with Hamilton and he demonstrated no desire to do anything in haste.
“From my point of view, we had such a successful run at championships in the past seven years, that there is no reason not to continue.
“He [Hamilton] is on the top of his game and he will be for a while. And that’s why continuing together is a no-brainer.
“If you refer to why haven’t we got a signed contract? The reason is simple. We always prioritized about getting this championship done, and not being distracted by sometimes difficult discussions, as is the nature of negotiation. But then COVID struck.”
“So it has delayed us a little bit, but we are not worried in eventually getting it done.
“We are putting no special date to it, because we don’t want to be put under pressure from you guys [the media] while it’s not signed yet. So sooner or later, it needs to be done. At the latest before we go testing.”
With the late end to the 2020 F1 season, pre-season testing was pushed back to March, 2021 in Barcelona.
Mercedes chairman, Ola Kallenius, admitted to having no reservations about the Brit being the right man for the German car manufacturer.
“I think Lewis Hamilton is the greatest, or one of the greatest race drivers of all time. I’ve known him since he was a teenager.
“I think his dedication and professionalism when it comes to how he has dedicated his life to being the greatest is remarkable and applaudable. And he’s a nice guy, too.
“So we would like to continue this partnership. And then it’s up to Toto in his role to get that done.”
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
