Breaking news
Formula 1
Hamilton braced for next round of "stressful" F1 contract talks
Lewis Hamilton says he’s not looking forward to "another stressful moment" of contract talks with Mercedes next year, as he ponders his next step in Formula 1.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Nov 15, 2019, 1:03 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The world champion’s current contract runs out at the end of 2020, but it is thought highly likely that he will extend his stay at the German car manufacturer.
However, while clearly eager to stay on in F1, Hamilton says there is always some trepidation about having to hammer out terms with a team.
“I only just did this contract and already I have to start talking about potentially the next one, which is frustrating because it is another stressful moment where you have to get into the room, get into the ring, and have a friendly yet intense conversation about terms and all of this kind of thing,” he said ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix.
“But I am used to it and I like to think that I am a relatively good negotiator.”
Read Also:
- Mercedes likely to stay in F1 after 2021, but "not a given"
- Hamilton still "working on a masterpiece" in F1
Hamilton said that the stress of the situation comes from the need to stand up for what he wants from a new deal, which may be in conflict with what the team is willing to offer him. However, he is not expecting things to get too fraught.
“I think it is just confrontation, isn’t it?” he explained about why he felt the situation would be stressful. “You are both trying to see what more you can get out of it: how you can do things better, things that you have to change and it takes years to change some of the formalities that we go through within this team.
“But the team has been amazing: Bradley [Lord, communications chief] and his team working around to help lighten the load but make it more impactful. The way I work with the engineers, lots of different things. It won't be really stressful to be honest.
“It is daunting when you think of it coming up because also you are committing to a period of time in your life and it is sometimes hard to imagine that far ahead. But of course it is nice to be wanted, so hopefully soon we will get that sorted.”
One factor that Hamilton wants to be sure of when it comes down to his future at Mercedes is what team boss Toto Wolff will do longer term.
Wolff has been linked with a possible role helping run F1, and Hamilton is well aware of how big a loss it could be to Mercedes if it loses such a key figure.
“He is, and has been, as close to perfect,” said Hamilton. “It’s been the perfect match so naturally I don’t want him to leave, particularly if I’m staying in the sport. But ultimately that is going to be his choice.
“If you look at some places that have been built, it will continue for a period of time and then a new person that comes in will most likely do things their own way. But I think, more often than not, it can go the wrong way.
“But again, at this team, it is not one person. It is a huge group of people, and they are not going to be leaving in general. So they can continue to do the job they do. That is important to me, so I am waiting to sort of see where he is, where his head is at.”
Toto Wolff, Executive Director (Business), Mercedes AMG, with Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1, 1st position, after the race
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Verstappen: Albon "smartest" choice for Red Bull
Next article Norris: Single-lap quirk behind McLaren's misleading advantage
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Lewis Hamilton
Oscar Piastri on his Singapore puncture: “Ironically, it probably helped”
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Oscar Piastri on his Singapore puncture: “Ironically, it probably helped”
Why Ferrari caved in to Lewis Hamilton’s failed Singapore F1 gamble
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Why Ferrari caved in to Lewis Hamilton’s failed Singapore F1 gamble
More from
Mercedes
‘I’ll put a pillow under his butt’ – How Toto Wolff wants to solve Kimi Antonelli’s track limits problem
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
‘I’ll put a pillow under his butt’ – How Toto Wolff wants to solve Kimi Antonelli’s track limits problem
George Russell calls Red Bull "the team to beat" in F1, but Kimi Antonelli adds a key caveat
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
George Russell calls Red Bull "the team to beat" in F1, but Kimi Antonelli adds a key caveat
Latest news
Tom Cruise interested in racing ARCA car, per NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
5 h
Tom Cruise interested in racing ARCA car, per NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell
Gibbs, Spire and Gabehart argue over contempt and injunction
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
8 h
Gibbs, Spire and Gabehart argue over contempt and injunction
William Byron to run Jeff Gordon throwback Axalta scheme at Phoenix
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
9 h
William Byron to run Jeff Gordon throwback Axalta scheme at Phoenix
Alexander Rossi takes over IR-28 testing as IndyCar pushes new chassis to the limit at Sebring
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 9 h
Alexander Rossi takes over IR-28 testing as IndyCar pushes new chassis to the limit at Sebring
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe