Over the winter break, it seemed that Lewis Hamilton’s contract extension was simply a formality for Mercedes, with the Brit showing no signs of wanting to leave or retire.
Concerningly for Mercedes fans however, no deal was signed over the winter and the 2023 season has now begun with Hamilton’s contract still running down.
The Silver Arrows have made a mistake in sticking with their 2022 design concept and are therefore unable to challenge for the championship this year, much to Hamilton’s disappointment.
It has been rumoured that should Mercedes continue to fail to provide Hamilton with a title challenging car, the seven-time world champion could make a move elsewhere, something which Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has refused to rule out.
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“As a driver, nevertheless, if he wants to win another championship, he needs to make sure that he has the car,” he said on Friday.
“And if we cannot demonstrate that we’re able to give him a car in the next couple of years, then he needs to look everywhere. I don’t think he’s doing it at that stage, but I will have no grouch if that happens in a year or two.”
These comments have alarmed Mercedes fans, who now believe that their hero could part ways with the team at the end of the year.
Wolff has now eased these concerns, claiming that there are only a few minor details to be sorted out on Hamilton’s contract extension.
“Well, I have no idea what is being said in the silly season. I just know where we are with Lewis and with George and nothing else is relevant and we’re talking when we want to do it and how but we just need to change some terms, the dates basically,” explained the Austrian.
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“I’m absolutely confident.”
Mercedes will be hoping to tie their star driver down to a new deal as soon as possible to put these rumours to bed once and for all.
The team have said that they have already seen significant improvement in the performance of the W14 this season, giving them some much needed hope for the rest of the season.