Mercedes explain intriguing 10-month Hamilton contract

Lewis Hamilton will consider walking away from Formula 1 at the end of this season.

The reigning world champion has signed an extension to his Mercedes contract to drive for the all-conquering team in 2021.

However, it is just a 10-month deal — rather than the expected two or three years — as the world champion is weighing up his future.

Hamilton will earn a reported $70 million (£40m) this season as he goes in search of an eighth world title that would move him clear of the record he currently holds with Michael Schumacher, The Sun reports.

The 36-year-old already holds the record for the most wins (95), pole positions (98) and podium finishes (165) in F1.

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He said: “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.

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The champ is here.Source:AFP

“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.”

Mercedes CEO and team boss, Toto Wolff said that his team will be re-evaluating as part of the new rules being introduced in to F1 in 2022 with fellow Brit, George Russell waiting in the wings.

Wolff added: “Lewis needs to decide what his future holds for him, that’s why I wouldn’t want to comment on where Lewis stands.

“The team needs to decide in the long term what we want to do about drivers.

“Valtteri [Bottas] and Lewis have our 100 per cent commitment and loyalty for 2021, we will support them with everything we have and we will then look beyond this year and see what is the line up we imagine in 2022 and onwards.

“Our first discussions will be with Valtteri and Lewis in respecting our values of loyalty and integrity.

Lewis Hamilton got the coin he demanded.Source:Getty Images

“On the other side young drivers are the future therefore we need to consider how we want to set ourselves up for the years beyond.”

Wolff also rubbished suggestions Hamilton had asked for a so-called ‘” Max Verstappen clause” — an effective veto on future teammates beyond 2021, Sky Sports reported.

He said the team would look to confirm its line-up for 2022 much earlier than the way they were forced to lock things up at the last minute before the start of the 2021 F1 calendar.

Hamilton said at the end of last year he was not yet certain how long he wanted to continue racing. But Wolff believes the 36-year-old can easily continue beyond this year.

“As long as he enjoys racing, I think he’s very capable of going longer,” said Wolff.

“He develops as a driver he looks after himself in terms of physical training and mental preparation, so I don’t think in terms of ability that ends in 2021. But at the end it’s his decision.”

— This story originally appeared on thesun.co.uk and has been republished with permission

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