Uncertainty over Lewis Hamilton’s future in F1 grows with contract talks on hold while he parties at Coachella
LEWIS HAMILTON did not cut the image of a man who was sweating over his Formula One future when he turned up at the Coachella festival last week.
Dressed in a vibrant yellow shirt and orange trousers he was bound to stand out from the crowd in the Southern Californian desert.
But while he enjoyed himself, it also meant that his contract negotiations with Mercedes were also placed on hold.
Hamilton is out of contract in 255 days – and that, of course, is still plenty of time if we are led to believe that his open discussions with boss Toto Wolff mean it is just a case of changing a few numbers around.
But the problem is, while F1 is in an enforced break due to the cancellation of the Chinese GP, when it returns, it does so thick and fast.
With five GPs in Azerbaijan, Miami, Imola, Monaco and Barcelona in just six weeks, will Mercedes and Hamilton want to spend any time off haggling over a contract?
We have been in this place before.
In 2021, he did not sign a deal with Mercedes until February when he was out of contract, making life fairly uncomfortable, as he took it to the wire for the new season.
So what is the hold up?
Hamilton has already stated that he wants to stay. In Saudi Arabia for the GP he said he was feeling fit and wanted to continue to drive for Mercedes in F1.
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He said: “For me personally, just as long as I can continue to help the team, as long as I can continue to help drive the team forwards and really contribute, then that’s why I want to stay.
“If there’s ever going to be a point where I feel like I’m not able to do that, then it’s time for a youngster to come in to take my seat. But I’m still pretty young, in pretty decent shape.”
A cynic could suggest that by failing to negotiate a deal, when publicly saying he wanted to, Hamilton and Mercedes are at odds on the contract.
And that usually involves two numbers. The contract length and, more crucially, the amount paid.
He is already one of the best-paid drivers on the grid, earning around £40 million a year.
But he also knows his worth to Mercedes, giving them billions of dollars in advertising.
However, at 38, maybe Mercedes do not feel the need to pay him the kind of sums he did in the past, for [and this is only a suggestion] he is past his peak, plus he is not winning [at the moment].
Does he have other options?
Absolutely. In F1, there is a limit on seats available, but which team would not jump at the chance to sign a seven-time world champion?
Red Bull aside, who have made their feelings known, he would walk into any other on the grid, even Ferrari.
Outside of F1, he would have the pick of the bunch in terms of other racing categories, but really it is unlikely that another sport’s venture would take his interest.
Do Mercedes want to keep him?
Hamilton and Wolff’s relationship is very transparent and open.
They have achieved so much success that it is inevitable that he would want to retain Hamilton.
His experience and feedback is vital to helping the team out of their current slump and Wolff knows he can rely on his multiple world champion.
That said, they know they have a real star in George Russell, who has certainly come to the fore this season.
Russell is oozing in confidence and proving that he is not afraid to go wheel to wheel with Hamilton, as he proves his own credentials as a team leader.
For the time being, their relationship is a harmonious one, and Mercedes would look to preserve it.
If he does not sign, who will they get?
It was a good piece of business to sign up Mick Schumacher as a reserve driver.
He might not have the same levels as talent as their other two drivers, but he does have plenty of experience having driven for Haas.
Should Hamilton decide not to stay and walk away, then Mercedes will have an easy solution to pop him alongside Russell.
However, it is worth mentioning that Wolff is pally with Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, and that IF he knew Hamilton was leaving, he would not be doing his job if he was not to at least ask about Verstappen.
A more-likely option would be Lando Norris, who has a contract at McLaren until 2025.
Mercedes would certainly test every letter of that contract to see if there was half a chance of getting the Brit.