Hamilton ready to be paid less to win
The 2008 World Champion would be willing to lower his salary in exchange for a good car.
In an interview with the British newspaper Express, Lewis Hamilton reveals that money is not a priority for him. « For all of us drivers, it has never been about money. Of course, when you start, it’s obviously positive to have money, but look at Jacques Villeneuve. He went to BAR for a lot of money but never won, and I don’t know if he was happy with that, but as far as I’m concerned, I want to win. »
Indeed, when the British driver is asked what he would choose between a good car and money, his answer is straightforward. « A better car. I want to win, I want more titles. […] If it means being paid a little less in order to win, it’s definitely an opportunity I would seize. »
However, although under contract until 2012 with the McLaren team, for an income estimated by the daily around 17 million euros per year, the 2008 World Champion does not currently have the best car. For two or even three seasons, Red Bull has become the leader in F1 and, naturally, many rumors regularly circulate about more or less advanced contacts between the British driver and the Austrian team, some even claiming the existence of a pre-contract for the 2013 F1 season.
Surprised in Montreal, visiting Ferrari and especially Red Bull, Hamilton continues to reaffirm that he feels good at McLaren and has no desire to look elsewhere, even if the grass seems greener for the moment: “We are the only team, outside of Red Bull, to have won races and we are the only team to compete with Red Bull. What more could you ask for?” declared the McLaren driver, as a prelude to the Valencian weekend. “I think the team is massively devoted to me, just as I am to them. I’ve been with them since I was 13 and have known them for a really long time. Of course, there are always positives and strengths you can bring up during negotiations with your team, but that wasn’t the purpose [of my visit to Red Bull].”
In the Express, Hamilton confided last Thursday: « I have a pretty solid contract at the moment, but Martin [Whitmarsh] has mentioned discussions with us about a new contract fairly soon, in the coming months. »
It remains to be seen whether the Briton will receive sufficient technical guarantees for the F1 2012 season. Without a shadow of a doubt, we need to raise our level of play. We must arrive with a good car every year and be more consistent. That is our ambition, that is Martin’s objective: he wants to be the most successful team boss in the years to come, Hamilton confides to the British newspaper.
