Lewis Hamilton’s contract situation was the topic on everybody’s lips over the winter break, with both the seven-time world champions and his Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirming that their relationship will continue.
Strangely however, the 2023 season has now begun and Hamilton is still yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, with rumours now starting to emerge that he could depart Mercedes at the end of the year.
The Silver Arrows have started the season poorly, with their W14 concept not allowing them to compete with the likes of Red Bull and Ferrari for the title this season.
Lewis Hamilton has stunning suggested that his team owe him an apology, claiming that he knew exactly what needed to be done last season but Mercedes refused to listen to him.
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Whilst these comments have led some fans to speculate that the Brit might bid farewell to Mercedes at the end of the season, Sky Sports’ Martin Brundle has suggested that it is all a part of Hamilton’s contract negotiation tactics.
“We have to remember Lewis is in the middle of a negotiation as well,” he said.
“I’m 100 percent certain Lewis would always follow the performance and not the money, but you aren’t going to turn down a big pay cheque if you can get it as well.
“They might be some pressure at Mercedes-Benz to reduce his pay, as it were. So there’s a bit of negotiation and a bit of game-play in this as well.”
With Mercedes struggling to compete so far this season, Brundle has suggested that Hamilton has every right to question his team’s decisions, with the zero sidepod concept clearly being the wrong one once again this year.
“I don’t think Lewis is in any different position to say Lando or Charles at Ferrari of stamping their feet a little bit and saying: ‘hang on, what are you doing about this?” Brundle explained.
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“Tell me what we’re going in terms of updates, in terms of personnel, in terms of moving this game forward because it looks an awful lot like last year at the moment.”
Hamilton has been linked with a move to Ferrari next season, with the 38-year-old previously admitting that he is a Ferrari fan and that he would have liked to have driven for the team.
The seven-time world champion has however told the media that he will be at Mercedes next season no matter what, expressing his confidence in Mercedes’ ability to get back to the top.