Lewis Hamilton is unlikely to sign a long-term contract at Mercedes amid doubt over F1 future

Lewis Hamilton shocked the F1 world when he said there is “no guarantee” he would continue to race next year. So does he have a contract or not?

Lewis Hamilton spills champagne from his shoe over third placed Daniel Ricciardo

Toto Wolff has said Lewis Hamilton “is not finished” with Formula One and that he expects the six-time world champion to be on the grid next season.

Hamilton shocked the paddock when he said after his victory at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday that there was “no guarantee” he would continue to race next year.

The 35-year-old is out of contract at the end of next month and is yet to sign a new deal with Mercedes, who have secured a record seventh consecutive constructors’ title. Wolff, the team principal, has said that he wants to step away from the day-to-day management of the team and move into a more senior role, while Hamilton has been clear that his future is linked to his boss.

Now I know more than anyone how much sweat you put in. If we ever do that again, i’m using my boot🤣 pic.twitter.com/L975kK27VJ

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) November 3, 2020

When it was put to Wolff that Hamilton - on the verge of winning a seventh drivers’ title - could walk away, he was insistent that neither he nor his star driver would be going anywhere.

“We go together in a way,” the Austrian said. “We have a symbiosis and it’s important where our heart and mindset is for next year.

“Lewis and I and all the team, we’re not finished.”

Since joining the team in 2013, Hamilton has mostly signed three-year deals but, given his age and with big regulation changes coming in 2022, it may be that he only wants a one-year deal.

His $40 million pay packet is also likely to be an issue as Mercedes, like all the teams, have taken a financial hit during the pandemic.

Originally published as Lewis Hamilton is unlikely to sign a long-term contract at Mercedes amid doubt over F1 future