Nico Rosberg, the 2016 Formula 1 World Champion, suggests that Lewis Hamilton’s strong drive to second place in Spain could play a crucial role in his contract negotiations with Mercedes.
Hamilton’s current contract with the team expires at the end of this season, and speculation has been rife regarding his future plans.
Many pundits believe Hamilton wants to assess Mercedes’ ability to recover from a challenging start to the 2023 campaign before committing to a new deal.
Hamilton’s performance at the Spanish Grand Prix demonstrated signs of progress for Mercedes, with the British driver securing a second-place finish behind Max Verstappen, while his teammate George Russell completed a podium double for the team from Brackley.
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Hamilton was voted ‘Driver of the Day’ by Formula 1 fans after an impressive recovery, including a remarkable overtaking move on Carlos Sainz.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Rosberg, Hamilton’s former teammate, praised the Briton’s driving, stating: “He was really on it, really quick, really well managed. I think back-to-his-best kind of driving. It’s good to see the positivity.”
Rosberg believes this display of positivity could be the determining factor that motivates Hamilton to sign a new contract for the 2024 season and potentially beyond.
In an interview with F1-Insider, Rosberg reiterated his belief, adding: “Days like this are perhaps a decisive factor in motivating him to sign. It has been such a tough time for Mercedes, but now there really is light at the end of the tunnel.”
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Interestingly, Hamilton revealed that he had a meeting scheduled with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff on Monday following the race.
While he confirmed that no deal had been signed yet, Hamilton expressed hope that progress would be made, saying: “I think I’m meeting Toto tomorrow, so hopefully we can get something done.”
Wolff also expressed confidence, suggesting that the contract discussions would likely only require a brief meeting over coffee.
If Hamilton agrees to a new contract this week, he will join his teammate George Russell in extending his future with the Mercedes team. Reports have indicated that Russell has committed to a long-term Formula 1 future with the team, further strengthening Mercedes’ line-up for the foreseeable future.