No no and no. This is how the content of the message that the team leader wanted to send could be summarized F1 Mercedes, Toto Wolff, in statements to several international media after the announcement of the renewal of Lewis Hamilton with the signing of the star for only one year, for 2021. Throughout the past year, and especially in recent weeks, there has been much talk about the requests that the 7-time world champion could make to Mercedes to extend his relationship with the German brand. In Italy they pointed out in January that Mercedes already had a 4-year contract at 50 million per season ready for Lewis I will sign it in the past Turkish GP, something that stopped Daimler, mercedes matrix. Mercedes was also said to have set an expiration date on negotiations with Hamilton, until the end of March. And in recent weeks, more news has emerged. It was said that Lewis wanted a 3-year contract, something he seemed to admit at the end of last year, when he remembered that he had always signed three-year renewals. Among all that information, ‘F1-Insider’ clarified a few days ago that Hamilton would renew this week, something in which he was not wrong. In that news it was pointed out that Lewis had asked as a condition to renew a so-called ‘Verstappen clause’ from which he could exercise the right to veto the signing of a partner who did not want by his side. In addition, the main reason for disagreement between the two parties seemed to be money, with a Hamilton who wanted to secure a long-term mega contract so he could be sure of ending his career with a top star salary. However, following the announcement of Hamilton’s renewal, Toto Wolff came on stage to address each of these points.
DENIES THAT THERE WERE DISCUSSIONS OVER A ‘VERSTAPPEN CLAUSE’
“And about these specific clauses that were in the media, I don’t know where it came from because none of that is true. I read about this and found the perspectives interesting, but the truth is that there was no discussion on any clause in reference to a specific pilot. Lewis has never asked for anything similar in the eight years he’s been with us. The decision about the drivers has always been a team decision. The rumor about the other clause on revenue sharing was also unfounded, so none of that was part of our discussions. “
THE YEAR OF THE CONTRACT WAS A MUTUAL AGREEMENT
“We made a one-year contract together. First of all, there is a substantial change in regulation in 2022, we also want to see how the world and the company develop and on the other hand because we leave it (the negotiation) for very late. We wanted to discuss the contract at the end of the season between the Bahrain races, and then obviously Lewis didn’t feel well (he tested positive for coronavirus). In the end, we started our conversations just before Christmas and it was important to do it as soon as possible, and in that sense we thought: let’s postpone the discussion on 2022 onwards to a later stage, in 2021.
DENIES THAT THERE WERE DISCREPANCIES
“There are uncertainties in the world that affect the way sport can operate and that influence our income, television money, sponsorship income … Daimler and Mercedes are in a major transformation towards electric mobility and that means investment. But having said that, we are fully aligned, Lewis and I, the group at large and Mercedes, on the situation, so there was never any disagreement of opinion. It was just that we felt like we had to sign the 2021 contract, just get started and then find some time during 2021 to discuss the future. And it is not only specifically 2022, but also beyond, and that is not something we want to forge through videoconferences between Christmas and the end of January ”.
HAMILTON DID NOT DOUBT FOR AN INSTANT
“No, there wasn’t a time when we thought he wouldn’t sign.”
WILL HAMILTON CONTINUE BEYOND 2022?
“The decision is up to Lewis, of course. I think he still enjoys racing a lot and I am convinced that he has everything he needs to be able to continue for a long time. He is a rider in constant evolution, he takes care of himself in terms of physical and mental preparation … I really don’t think that in terms of capacity he will fear the limits at the end of 2021. But it is still his decision ”.
“In contractual terms, I will not go into details, but we have always been quite aligned with what the other party expects. And then, as I’ve said many times, Lewis is still the best driver for me. has a huge following around the world, which has gone well beyond motorsport fans. “
“He has won seven world championships, he has not made big mistakes for years and he is an important pillar that the team has. For his part, Lewis also acknowledges that he is one of the 2000 Mercedes people who work in Formula 1 between the chassis and the engine. There are not one or two superstars, but 2000 ”.
RUSSELL IN 2021 AND A POSSIBLE WITHDRAWAL FROM HAMILTON
“I repeat: Lewis will decide what the future holds, I do not want to comment on what his position could be. I do not deny that the team at some point will have to decide what to do with their drivers in the long term, but Valtteri and Lewis have our commitment and our loyalty to 100% for 2021, we will support them with everything we have.
“When the time comes to look to the future we will ask ourselves what could be the best driver tandem for the team and, as always, the first comparisons will be with Valtteri and Lewis, respecting our values of loyalty and integrity. But we must also bear in mind that young riders are the future, so we will have to make the appropriate assessments to mark the next few years in the best possible way.
