Lewis Hamilton contract: George Russell ‘in back of Mercedes’ mind’ despite new deal

F1: Lewis Hamilton extends Mercedes contract

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Lewis Hamilton’s new deal shows Mercedes have George Russell in the back of their mind, according to former F1 driver Robert Doornbos. The Brit penned a new deal on Monday. But it’s only for a year, opening the door to a potential Russell switch in 2022.

Hamilton’s new contract was announced by Mercedes earlier in the week, with the Silver Arrows saying on their website: “The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team is pleased to announce that the reigning Formula One World Constructors’ Champion and the reigning F1 World Drivers’ Champion will continue together in 2021.

“The Mercedes works team and Lewis agreed a new contract which will see one of the sport’s most successful ever collaborations continue for a ninth consecutive season.

“A significant part of the new agreement builds upon the joint commitment to greater diversity and inclusion in motorsport that was made last year by Lewis and Mercedes.

“This will take the form of a joint charitable foundation, which will have the mission of supporting greater diversity and inclusion in all its forms in motorsport.

“Lewis made his F1 debut with Mercedes F1 engine customer team McLaren in 2007 and has been powered in all his 266 Grands Prix by Mercedes-Benz engines.

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“He joined the Mercedes works team in 2013 and has since won 74 F1 races as well as six Drivers’ Championships with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. In 2020, he broke Michael Schumacher’s win record and is now all-time race win record holder in Formula One.”

It is, however, only a one-year deal.

That’s raised eyebrows within the Formula One world, especially with Williams star Russell being tipped to join next year.

And former F1 driver Doornbos thinks Mercedes will have Russell in the back of their mind.

“In the back of Mercedes’ mind it will also play a role that they had to open the door ajar for Russell,” he said.

“Depending on the form of Williams this year, he has to be in the rear for another season.”

He then added: “I sincerely think that it has led to new insights at Mercedes.

”Russell went really fast in that car too. I’m not saying he can become seven-time world champion like Hamilton. But it will certainly have done something in the negotiations.”

Hamilton was delighted upon signing his new deal, saying: “I am excited to be heading into my ninth season with my Mercedes teammates.

“Our team has achieved incredible things together and we look forward to building on our success even further, while continuously looking to improve, both on and off the track.

“I’m equally determined to continue the journey we started to make motorsport more diverse for future generations and I am grateful that Mercedes has been extremely supportive of my call to address this issue.

“I’m proud to say we are taking that effort further this year by launching a foundation dedicated to diversity and inclusion in the sport.

“I am inspired by all that we can build together and can’t wait to get back on the track in March.”

Meanwhile, Sky Sports’ Craig Slater has claimed Hamilton only wanted a one-year contract – despite reports suggesting otherwise.

“A senior figure at Mercedes expressed to me that both sides wanted flexibility of a year,” he said.

“That is interesting.

“In Lewis Hamilton’s case, if he wins his eighth World title at the age of 36, he is ahead of Formula 1’s statistics by every measure, by every significant manner, he might wake up the next morning and decide he wants to do something else.

“As far as Hamilton and Mercedes are concerned, they have now dealt with 2021, but this by no means means they will not continue to work together in 2022, that Lewis won’t continue his racing career with Mercedes.

“A lot of people will surprised that it is just one year. Lewis has talked previously about being very interested in the new generation of cars that begins in 2022 so don’t count him out staying with Mercedes for that new era.”

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