Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko believes Lewis Hamilton is annoyed at no longer being Formula 1’s “highest-earning driver”, with rival Max Verstappen being the highest paid in the paddock.
Verstappen claimed Hamilton’s spot as the highest paid driver in F1 when he signed his long-term lucrative contract last season, keeping him at Red Bull until the end of 2028.
The reigning World Champion’s deal is reportedly worth £50 million per season, according to the Express.co.uk, more than Hamilton has ever earnt from the sport.
With him set to sign a new contract, though, he could potentially reclaim the top spot, depending on the figure agreed with Mercedes.
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Hamilton’s current deal expires this season, with the seven-time World Champion expected to sign an extension for 2024 and 2025.
It’s not just earning less than Verstappen which annoys Hamilton, according to Marko, with the Austrian believing that Hamilton is struggling to cope with “no longer” being the World Champion.
When Hamilton will next be amongst the title fight is a difficult question to answer based on Mercedes’ current struggles, and due to how superior Red Bull are.
Marko added that Hamilton could at least get amongst Verstappen’s salary should he switch to Ferrari, something which has been in the headlines this week.
“There are two things that really annoy Hamilton,” Marko told F1 Insider.
“Firstly, that he is no longer world champion and will find it difficult to become one again in the future.
“He knows there is no place for him at Red Bull. And whether Ferrari will be better for him in terms of sport than Mercedes is not set in stone.
“In addition to the sporting perspective, Lewis is anything but happy that he is no longer the highest-earning driver in Formula 1. `This is Max Verstappen now. At least that he could change with Ferrari’s help.”
Ferrari are reportedly set to offer Hamilton a £40 million deal to leave Mercedes and move to Maranello, something which Toto Wolff has labelled as “not true”.
Hamilton himself has also admitted that he plans on remaining at Mercedes for many more years, with the Silver Arrows being his “home”.
Ex-F1 driver Ralf Schumacher also believes Hamilton won’t be moving to Ferrari; however, the German admits that Hamilton’s “close relationship” with Frederic Vasseur could give him something to consider at the very least.
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“What could speak for Ferrari: Hamilton’s long and close relationship with team boss Fred Vasseur,” Schumacher said, as reported by the Express.co.uk.
“The Frenchman was already Lewis’s team manager when he was karting. Hamilton also drove for Vasseur’s teams in the junior formulas.
“But Lewis also has a close, trusting relationship with Toto Wolff. That’s why I don’t believe in a change.”