Hamilton / Mercedes: negotiations to retain the seven-time world champion resume
Lewis Hamilton revealed that discussions with his team regarding a possible contract extension had started.
This Thursday, the seven-time world champion revealed that he has initiated discussions with Mercedes for a possible extension. While negotiations for 2021 ended very late last year, the star brand and the Briton started them much earlier this season.
We have started the discussions. There is not much to say, not a lot of things, we had discussions and it is a positive thing, declares Lewis Hamilton.
While he had only extended for one year at the beginning of the year, many rumors suggested that the reigning world champion would retire at the end of the season. However, Hamilton also admitted that he wanted to continue his adventure with Mercedes.
If negotiations with the British driver have started as the two rounds approach on the Red Bull Ring, they still have not begun for his teammate. Valtteri Bottas, who is also at the end of his contract this year, could be in competition with George Russell, whose contract with Williams also expires at the end of the season.
The start of the season is not in favor of the Finns, but they can nonetheless count on the support of their garage neighbor, who sees in them the best possible teammate.
« When I say teammate, it’s not just about the driver’s performances. It’s about the team morale, about how we work in the environment of our teammate. […] Valtteri is currently my teammate and we have both experienced ups and downs in our careers. But as I said, I think he’s a fantastic teammate and I don’t feel like that necessarily has to change,” he admitted.
