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Lewis Hamilton says he and Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff have not been able to start discussions over a new contract for 2021 in recent days as initially planned.
Hamilton’s current Mercedes deal expires at the end of the year although he is expected to agree a new one and remain with the team next season.
The seven-time world champion’s fresh agreement has been pushed back several times this year and said to be a low priority, as initially Mercedes and Hamilton wanted to navigate the awkward F1 schedule introduced amid the coronavirus pandemic and then focus on securing the titles.
Hamilton said after last weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that he hoped the process would begin this week and a new deal would be done by Christmas, and Mercedes teased a Hamilton announcement on Thursday evening with an “#Announce…” Twitter post and a graphic with Hamilton’s Abu Dhabi quote about wanting to remain with the team.
On Friday morning Mercedes announced a new ownership structure with sponsor INEOS becoming an equal-thirds investor alongside Mercedes’ parent company Daimler, which has reduced its stake, and team principal Toto Wolff – who has also renewed his contract for three more years.
However, asked by The Race for an update on his situation on Friday, Hamilton said: “We haven’t started a conversation.
“Toto and I planned to do that over the coming days, we’ve been moving quite a bit over the past days travel-wise.
“He is on the top of his game and he will be for a while. And that’s why continuing together is a no brainer” :: Toto Wolff
“But otherwise on a super, super plus side I’m really proud and grateful to see Toto sign.
“He is such an important leading figure within this team, and the success that we have achieved would have not been possible without him. He is such a great figurehead.
“The team’s just better for it, to have that longevity, and it’s great to see the commitment from Mercedes and the added bonus of having INEOS.
“[INEOS] have been a part of our success this year, it is great to see that they’re going to be a part of this team and help with the stability of this team moving forward and growing to be better.
“It’s going to take a big push for us to continue to raise the bar. But I think the right people are in the right place, and it looks good. The future’s bright for this team.”
Earlier on Friday, Mercedes’ key stakeholders had all expressed their desire to retain Hamilton, who equalled Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world championships in 2020 and surpassed his win record.
Hamilton has now won 95 grands prix and is statistically the most successful driver in F1 history.
Wolff said there was still no rush to get the deal done, indicating even running into the start of 2021 is not a major concern.
“My point of view is we had such a successful run at championships in the past seven years that there is no reason not to continue,” said Wolff.
“He’s just got immense talent. And he’s a very likeable chap” :: Jim Ratcliffe
“He is on the top of his game and he will be for a while. And that’s why continuing together is a no brainer.
“Sooner or later it needs to be done, at the latest before we go testing.”
Daimler chief Ola Kallenius would not comment on Hamilton’s alleged salary demands – which have previously been strongly refuted by Wolff and Hamilton.
But he said “we would like to continue this partnership” and “it’s up to Toto in his role to get that done”.
“I think Lewis Hamilton is one of the greatest race drivers of all time,” said Kallenius, who has known Hamilton since the early 2000s.
“I think his dedication and professionalism when it comes to how he has dedicated his life to be the greatest is remarkable and applaudable. And he’s a nice guy, too.”
INEOS chairman Jim Ratcliffe said: “Lewis is either the greatest or one of the two or three greatest ever racing drivers.
“I think there’s absolutely no question of that. He’s just got immense talent. And he’s a very likeable chap.
“The one thing I would say about Lewis has been, there has been no diminution of his skills. He clearly is absolutely at the top of his game, despite the fact he is 35.
“There’s absolutely no sign of any change.”
