The ongoing saga of Hamilton’s contract continues to captivate attention as Formula 1 takes its summer hiatus. Fans eagerly await the next step in the journey of the seven-time world champion and his relationship with Mercedes.
With words back and forth from both parties describing the situation of the contract renewal, nothing concrete has been laid out yet.
A fresh wave of optimism has emerged with the latest update on the ongoing negotiations concerning Lewis Hamilton’s new contract with Mercedes.
The current contract of the Formula One driver at Mercedes is set to conclude at the end of the 2023 F1 season, prompting speculation about Ferrari’s attempts to entice him into their ranks.
However, according to reports from Italian journalist Leo Turrini, Hamilton politely turned down an offer from the Maranello based team.
“Hamilton had been contacted personally by Elkann. I understand he politely replied ‘no thanks’. And you can understand it,” wrote Leo Turrini.
Lawrence Barreto, Channel 4’s F1 reporter speaking on Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes wrote on F1’s official website: “The best seat still technically available for 2024 sits at Mercedes alongside George Russell – but in reality it’s a matter of when, rather than if, Lewis Hamilton finally puts pen to paper to keep it in his possession and extend his stay at the Silver Arrows.”
“Neither Mercedes boss Toto Wolff nor Hamilton appear stressed by the amount of time it is taking to get a new deal over the line. They’ve both said that the key terms – including money and length of the arrangement – have been agreed.
“It’s just, as Wolff puts it, ‘trivial things that need to be cleaned up’ in the contract before it all gets signed off.
“Hamilton has left it late to sign a new deal in the past. It wasn’t until the eve of pre-season in 2021 that he inked a one-year extension to race in that upcoming campaign. Just six months later, he penned a new two-year deal, taking him up to the end of 2023.
“The 38-year-old reckons he can race on for at least another five years, the Briton believing he still has what it takes to win a record eighth World Championship.
“And having spent his whole career with the Mercedes family, from backing in karting to making his F1 debut with the Mercedes-powered McLaren team to spending the last decade with the works outfit, it’s more than likely he’ll continue with the Silver Arrows for the foreseeable.”
