Lewis Hamilton yet to renew with Mercedes for the 2021 Formula One season which begins next month

With the 2021 Formula One season less than two months away, Lewis Hamilton is still yet to renew his contract with Mercedes after it expired in December.

Hamilton and Mercedes have been in contract talks ever since the 2020 season ended in Abu Dhabi, however they are yet to reach an agreement. 

With new regulations and cost caps being implemented for the new season, Mercedes finds themselves reluctant to oblige to the seven-time world champion’s demands.

Unsurprisingly, there have been plenty of reports speculating about the negotiations taking place. 

Most suggesting that Hamilton is asking for too much money on a lengthier contract, with the Mercedes hierarchy refusing to budge as they prefer a shorter deal.

With the new cost caps clearly playing a part in the negotiations, another factor that will be considered during negotiations is George Russell.

With British driver Russell being managed by Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, he looks destined for a seat at the team in the near future, especially after impressing during his stand-in drive for the team at the Sakhir GP after Hamilton tested positive for COVID-19.

Russell’s consistently impressive performances, combined with his much lower wages could be the reasoning behind Hamilton’s request of a three-year deal being swiftly turned down.

With pre-season testing just over a month away, Mercedes are the only team on the grid who are yet to confirm their driver line-up.

Speaking on the negotiations, Wolff admitted Hamilton is vital to his team and expects a deal to be completed soon

He said: ‘We have a bond which is not only professional but also a friendship.

‘Lewis is incredibly important to the team and also the Mercedes brand, but the landscape is changing right now.

‘We have a big regulation change next year and the cost cap that will hit us hard next year. These all play a role in our discussions, and then it’s about the details but we don’t want to be put under pressure.

‘It should be a sensible agreement and we are not far away from that.’

With the prospect of losing a seven-time world champion a daunting one, it is unsurprising that Mercedes are expected to announce the agreement in the next few weeks. 

By Liam Davies