Mercedes luminary Lewis Hamilton is again a regular at podiums after an array of disappointing races initially into the 2023 season. The Silver Arrows team has made significant strides in the positive direction over the last few weekends. With back-to-back strong finishes, the Briton is now eyeing the top step of the podium in the coming races. However, amidst the improving scenarios, one thing that is still under speculation is the future of Hamilton with Mercedes.
Though team boss Toto Wolff and Hamilton himself have repeatedly assured the intent of putting pen to paper soon, the inevitable delay has raised some eyebrows. Earlier this season, sources were claiming a potential move of Hamilton to Ferrari. Moreover, the reports of Hamilton’s rising tension with the team due to the underperforming car made this a believable scenario to many.
However, both Ferrari and Lewis himself were quick to dismiss these insinuations. On more than one occasion, the seven-time world champion has called Mercedes his home and assured his racing future with the German manufacturer. The latest update regarding this came after the Spanish GP weekend when the driver and team boss met on Monday to discuss the final rounds of negotiations. To fans’ disappointment, nothing conclusive came out after that meet as well.
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Lewis Hamilton Demanding a 10-year Deal: Sources
Hamilton moved to Mercedes as a one-time world champion in 2013. Notably, the driver he replaced in the team back then was none other than Michael Schumacher. Rest, as they say, is history. He since then has broken every glass ceiling the sport had to offer. Now, after a couple of rocky years, there were speculations that Hamilton might look to don a different outfit for a change.
However, recent reports reveal that Hamilton not only wants to stay, he is demanding an extraordinary deal, that includes post-retirement assurances as well. As per the news portal Crash, there are disagreements regarding certain aspects of this in-work contract.
“Hamilton’s current salary is £27.5m plus a £15m bonus for winning the F1 title but, in his next contract, he wants the extra £15m guaranteed” the website reported.
“Hamilton wants a “long-term” contract but Mercedes’ preference is to only offer him one year with the option of a second year. And Mercedes is “not prepared” to agree to Hamilton’s wish for a 10-year ambassadorial role, after his F1 career ends, which would be worth £10m per year,” the sources added.
Do you think this ambitious deal will go through or Hamilton will have to budge on these alleged demands? Comment Below.
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