Lewis Hamilton wants to stay at Mercedes and Mercedes wants to keep Lewis Hamilton. So far, however, the two parties have not officially agreed to continue their cooperation beyond 2023. Speculations that a contract extension would be announced at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal proved to be wrong.
So what is the state of play between Hamilton and Mercedes? Hamilton doesn’t want to reveal much about it, but at least he explains: “I have Toto [Wolff] met. We spoke to each other several times. We have a good relationship. There’s nothing more to say at the moment.”
According to Mercedes team boss Wolff, this meeting took place “on Tuesday [vor Kanada]” took place in New York and in a comfortable atmosphere: “We sat together on the sofa in the afternoon, but without beer, just water. Athletes,” says Wolff.
As Hamilton confirmed when asked, progress had been made. So far, however, no signature has been received. This is indicated by further Hamilton statements. Because he says: “When the time comes, then it’s time. Whether in a month or whenever. As long as it only happens, I don’t care anymore.”
Because such a contract extension is not that easy. There are “a few more people involved” than just Hamilton and Wolff, as the latter explains. He refers to Hamilton’s management and “lawyers on our side”, as well as other Mercedes participants. “It’s definitely not up to me alone,” says Wolff.
“But I would say that when it comes to all the important details, it’s between Lewis and me.” Just like on Tuesday before Canada at the meeting in New York. And according to Wolff, the extension with Hamilton is more a “matter of days than weeks”.
Successful collaboration in Formula 1
Hamilton last signed a contract extension with Mercedes in July 2021, at that time for two more years up to and including 2023. This contract expires in a few months.
So far, the cooperation between Hamilton and Mercedes has been extremely successful: the Brit has been driving for the German-British works team since 2013 and has won six world championship titles in the drivers’ championship between 2014 and 2020.
With his successes, Hamilton became the most successful Formula 1 driver ever in terms of victories and broke many records from Michael Schumacher. When it comes to the number of world titles, however, there is a tie: Hamilton and Schumacher have each been world champions seven times.