9766 replies to this topic

[NoForumForOldPole]

except of his first extension every contract was only 2 or 3 years long, he is now in an age were neither he nor Mercedes can have a high interest for a long contract. And even if he want to bypass the salary cap rules he can probably do this over options.

It does seem a bit telling that the "rumours" go from "Hamilton wants only a one year deal but Merc longer" to "Hamilton wants 5 years but Merc not so much" (we had this a couple of months ago). The press tried to convince us ealier this year that Ferrari had offered Vettel a massive paycut, but reality was that they didnt offered him anything. At this point the press is just shooting in the dark for the clicks.

What is your take on the situation? Is it about the money, contract length or both? (If we were to speculate)

Edited by NoForumForOldPole, 01 January 2021 - 13:36.

[r4mses]

Strange negotiations, they are no serious alternative to Hamilton for Mercedes and vice versa. Looks like who's gonna blink first type of situation.

 

I've said it before, I'll say it again: Mercedes can pretty much take any driver of the grid (bar not even a handful of exceptions) if they wanted to. HAM otoh has no alternatives if he wants to to sure to fight for the WDC.

Edited by r4mses, 01 January 2021 - 13:42.

[Marklar]

What is your take on the situation? Is it about the money, contract length or both? (If we were to speculate)

hard to tell tbh

 

the common rumour in the paddock from what I heard is that they tried to drag it intentionally in the hope that the Corona crisis does largely end in 2020, so that it doesnt look this bad when somebody is going to be paid still big bucks (regardless if he actually is or not, the press will report it that way even if they were to cut his salary in reality, because whether he earns 50 or 20 million, it's still a lot).

 

I guess realizing that the Corona crisis insnt ending they waited for the Ineos deal to be done so that you can create the narrative to the press that Merc is in reality barely paying anything (Lewis being knighted now probably also helps to market this more favourably). It's likely all about the "looks": Mercedes can easily afford to pay Lewis a lot, the marketing revenue is it worth it, but it doesnt have a great look on it in the current times.

Can't imagine that it's about contract length. Mercedes certainly wants him for at least 2 years, because that one season in 2022 is the minimum they will need to evaluate Russell. And Lewis has shown more than once that he wants to race the 2022 cars, and neither has a history of going for 4+ years contracts, so I'm sure that they are on relatively similar terms here.

Edited by Marklar, 01 January 2021 - 13:51.

[monolulu]

hard to tell tbh

 

the common rumour in the paddock from what I heard is that they tried to drag it intentionally in the hope that the Corona crisis does largely end in 2020, so that it doesnt look this bad when somebody is going to be paid still big bucks (regardless if he actually is or not, the press will report it that way even if they were to cut his salary in reality, because whether he earns 50 or 20 million, it's still a lot).

 

I guess realizing that the Corona crisis insnt ending they waited for the Ineos deal to be done so that you can create the narrative to the press that Merc is in reality barely paying anything (Lewis being knighted now probably also helps to market this more favourably). It's likely all about the "looks": Mercedes can easily afford to pay Lewis a lot, the marketing revenue is it worth it, but it doesnt have a great look on it in the current times.

Can't imagine that it's about contract length. Mercedes certainly wants him for at least 2 years, because that one season in 2022 is the minimum they will need to evaluate Russell. And Lewis has shown more than once that he wants to race the 2022 cars, and neither has a history of going for 4+ years contracts, so I'm sure that they are on relatively similar terms here.

I have just been rewatching the pre race programme for Turkey ( I know a bit sad but I do live alone!) & Toto answers the usual question about Lewis’s contract by saying “we want to spend some time carving out the detail, not only about a year or two but what happens after”. So it may be about Lewis’s role after driving.

[garoidb]

I've said it before, I'll say it again: Mercedes can pretty much take any driver of the grid (bar not even a handful of exceptions) if they wanted to. HAM otoh has no alternatives if he wants to to sure to fight for the WDC.

 

He can take a year out, or multiple years, or retire. He doesn't need there to be another seat in play to be comfortable. He may well have decided that he is happy to stay away if he can't be at Mercedes. Mercedes don't have the equivalent option. They must run two drivers in next years World Championship. However, it is fairly simple for them to fulfil that, albeit in a less than optimal way. If either party digs in too much, the other one has options.  

Edited by garoidb, 01 January 2021 - 15:18.

[Marklar]

at this stage it would be bad for both. If Red Bull cuts a bit of their gap Merc will need Lewis since they can hardly get Ricciardo/Leclerc/Verstappen type of drivers who would then probably be required for the title out of contract now (only drivers like Hulkenberg, who is more like a 2nd Bottas, or Russell who can go either way), and Lewis also has nowhere to go except of taking a break or retiring. It's probably really who blinks first, hence why I'm not too fussed about this.

If it was back in summer or something both would have somewhat acceptable options (Merc more than Lewis, though), even if not better ones.

Edited by Marklar, 01 January 2021 - 15:24.

[Calum]

It’s been so vague and unusual that when it finally gets announced they’ll do a final troll to us fans to keep it vague and just say multi year deal!

[BRG]

I've said it before, I'll say it again: Mercedes can pretty much take any driver of the grid (bar not even a handful of exceptions) if they wanted to. HAM otoh has no alternatives if he wants to to sure to fight for the WDC.

Yes, they can take any driver on the grid.  But only if they are prepared to be seen to be settling for second best.  And that isn't the Mercedes way.  

[Squeed]

I've said it before, I'll say it again: Mercedes can pretty much take any driver of the grid (bar not even a handful of exceptions) if they wanted to. HAM otoh has no alternatives if he wants to to sure to fight for the WDC.

 

Any team on the grid could take any driver on the grid under the right circumstances.  The law of supply and demand applies.  

[Beri]

Any team on the grid could take any driver on the grid under the right circumstances.  The law of supply and demand applies.

Curious which circumstances would create the situation where Williams employs Hamilton or Verstappen in their current form. So if you could name this, perhaps Dorilton watches this thread and will make it happen.

[shure]

Any team on the grid could take any driver on the grid under the right circumstances.  The law of supply and demand applies.  

Realistically, not many teams could take any driver on the grid.  Currently, Mercedes is the one team who can guarantee wins and who most drivers would give their right eye for.  I doubt there's much Williams could do to lure Hamilton, Verstappen or Leclerc.  It's a one way trip to obscurity

[Beri]

Two minds.. one thought.. creepy

[r4mses]

I'm pretty sure every driver on the grid would drop his current drive for that 2021 Mercedes. Every. Most of them even for free. If that driver/Mercedes manages to find an agreement with the other team is another question. Bar two or three, again I'm pretty sure they would.

[FLB]

Since the Mazepin thread is closed and it may come in play at some point if the behaviour is repeated, I'll put this here:

 

Haas sponsor Jack & Jones has formally taken its distances with Mazepin. The relationship with Haas was supposed to end regardless at the end of 2020, but they went out of their way to signal their displeasure:

 

https://twitter.com/...703405466546182

Edited by FLB, 01 January 2021 - 20:22.

[charly0418]

Since the Mazepin thread is closed and it may come in play at some point if the behaviour is repeated, I'll put this here:

Haas sponsor Jack & Jones has formally taken its distances with Mazepin. The relationship with Haas was supposed to end regardless at the end of 2020, but they went out of their way to signal their displeasure:

https://twitter.com/...703405466546182

Hard to take the statement seriously when they are Kevin’s sponsors. If it would have been someone neutral then it’d be interesting

[noikeee]

Yeah that's not really gonna matter.

[KWSN - DSM]

Magnussen sponsor or not, a F1 sponsor actually saying something most have at least some meaning.