At the end of August, Mercedes announced that Lewis Hamilton would remain in Formula 1 in 2024 and 2025. Ex-racing driver and TV expert Martin Brundle still speculates that the seven-time world champion could leave the premier class before then.
Lewis Hamilton wants his eighth world title. The Briton has made no secret of this in the past. The hunt for the (sole) record was probably one of the main reasons why the Formula 1 star extended his contract with Mercedes until 2025 in August. But in the last two years, the German-British racing team had no chance in the title fight.
If this does not change, Hamilton could withdraw from the premier class before the end of his contract. Ex-racing driver Martin Brundle expressed this suspicion to Sky Sports. “I think if Lewis feels that the eighth title is unattainable in a certain time frame, he will think about a plan B,” said the TV expert.
Formula 1: Brundle doubts George Russell
The 54-year-old left it open what this plan might look like. “It depends on whether Lewis maintains his current motivation, but it’s so close that you can’t say,” the former Formula 1 driver continued. In addition, it cannot be ruled out that George Russell could overtake Hamilton in the team order if Mercedes can intervene in the title fight again.
“I think the two are very close when you look at the stats, but George has had a few nightmare races this year. I don’t know the answer to that, but I definitely wouldn’t say, ‘Oh, Lewis without a doubt, because he is already a seven-time champion,'” Brundle assumed.
“Lewis knows how to win titles, but George has youth on his side. Unless George is in a position where he wins the championship, we don’t know if he has the head to deal with it,” doubted the Formula 1 expert to Russell.