F1 Analyst Clarifies ‘Curveballs’ Holding Up Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes Contract Talks

There’s about one and a half month remaining for the first day of pre-season testing in Bahrain. Yet, we have no confirmation whatsoever regarding who will be suiting up alongside Valtteri Bottas for Mercedes. Obviously, Lewis Hamilton is the first choice for the Silver Arrows, but negotiations seem to have ground to a halt.

The parties are yet to come to even ground, but with Mercedes having confirmed the date of their 2021 car reveal, one expects the deal to be announced before that.

However, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s recent statements may have left fans a bit concerned. Wolff had mentioned that the contract negotiation had thrown up some ‘curveballs,’ and that this was holding up talks.

But what were these so called ‘curveballs?’

Sky Sports analyst Craig Slater broke it down.

“Toto Wolff did speak of curveballs for the lawyers arising from some of these contract talks. I understand that doesn’t refer to any particular hitches that have arisen.

“It’s just that the talks have thrown up areas that they felt should be codified within the contract. So it has meant a little bit of extra work,” said the report.

Lewis Hamilton would surely not squander his chance to win a record eighth title

Continuing with the Brackley-based outfit is the only way Hamilton would stay on the F1 grid. The Briton is still at the very peak of his game, and it’s scary that he still continues to get better and better.

As such, Lewis would most definitely have an eighth world title in his sight. At Mercedes, he’ll have, by far, the best car on the grid and it would be a no-brainer for him to sign on and add to his incredible trophy haul.

His only real competition will be Bottas and Max Verstappen. But this has been the case for a few seasons now, and the fact that Hamilton has won four consecutive titles suggests negotiating the Finn and the Red Bull ace wouldn’t be much of a problem.

Surely the recently knighted Hamilton would stick with Mercedes, right? Fans would want the answer to this question as soon as possible.

Also Read: Lewis Hamilton Wouldn’t Fare Any Better in 2020 Haas F1 Car: Grosjean