Helmut Marko has suggested greed is a factor in Lewis Hamilton’s contract negotiations.
The Austrian believes the seven-time world champion is bitter over Max Verstappen leapfrogging him in the F1 earnings list.
Verstappen reportedly earns a whopping $55 million a year compared to Hamilton’s $35 million salary.
“At least he could change that with Ferrari’s help,” the 80-year-old added, always keen to take a jibe at Mercedes.
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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff recently brought to light the awkwardness that surrounds the discussion of money.
“We have such a good relationship that we dread the moment that we need to talk about money,” he said.
“Lewis is the most important personality in the sport,
“He is so multi-faceted, not only with the racing but also off track, so we need to keep him in the sport for as long as possible.”
The rumours suggesting Hamilton was pondering a move to Ferrari have since quietened down, and a revamped Mercedes contract looks to be on the way.
“It is going to happen soon, and we are talking more days than weeks,” Wolff said.
Wolff is keen to get pen to paper, which would help to stabilise the mood at Mercedes.
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When quizzed on whether such an agreement would be reached Wolff insisted the team “are trying hard.”
Hamilton and George Russell have begun to find their form with the new upgrades having a positive impact.
The seven-time world champion has outperformed his younger team-mate so far this season, and he is hunting for his first win since 2021.