The Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes contract negotiation saga has been going on longer than people can remember. The only other story from the 2023 Formula 1 season that can rival the prolonged negotiations is Red Bull’s dominance. Well, if you think about it, the fact that Mercedes dropped the ball after 2021—and Red Bull has taken over the reins since then—might be a great cause of concern for Hamilton, seeing how he’s still intent on winning that eighth championship. 

While Red Bull’s domination and Mercedes’ inability to match that performance has proven an obstacle in the negotiations, Mercedes sorted out another $25 million obstacle, only for another roadblock to arise. Even though Hamilton and Mercedes have both reported to have “emotionally” agreed to continue their partnership, the pen hasn’t been put to paper yet. The question is: Can Mercedes clear yet another obstacle to make Hamilton stay?

Lewis “Not-Mercedes-Ambassador” Hamilton hits another snag in negotiations

Even before retiring from the sport, Hamilton suggested he be made a Mercedes ambassador for 10 years to stay affiliated with F1 and the team that’s been his home for the past decade. Despite all the success the partnership has had together, the German giant was quick to dismiss Hamilton’s $25 million-a-year suggestion, with Toto Wolff even saying that he’d rather focus on Hamilton’s current situation at Mercedes. 

After getting that out of the way, the parties were speculated to have come to a $54 million deal to keep Hamilton at Mercedes for two more years. In an interview with Sky Sports, the seven-time champion even said, “I’m staying where I am. It just takes time. We just had this break, as well. In this break, no one has been thinking about it. Hopefully, it will be done soon.” While Hamilton and Mercedes fans are just as hopeful for an extension to be announced soon, there seems to be another snag the Brackley outfit will have to address before anything is confirmed.

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As reported by formula1news.co.uk, “The crux of the current discord between Hamilton and the team revolves around the extent of his contractual obligations to participate in appearances for sponsors. The Sun reports that this specific clause is a point of contention, causing a standoff in the negotiations.” As days tick by and an extension isn’t announced, Hamilton’s future at Mercedes gets even more doubtful. Is his F1 future just as doubtful?

Will 2023 be the last season for Hamilton in F1?

Earlier this year, amid all the Mercedes uncertainty, Ferrari came knocking on Hamilton’s door, offering him a guaranteed stay in F1. But the Brit quickly rejected the offer, pledging his allegiance to Mercedes. If, for some reason, the Mercedes deal doesn’t work out, the seven-time champion might not have anywhere else to go. If not Mercedes, he doesn’t have another ticket to the F1 circus for at least another season. This begs the question: Will he retire at the end of 2023?

While speaking to the American magazine Robb Report, Hamilton revealed, “I still love racing. More than ever. I always feel I can be better. When I hit a limit, I love the challenge of figuring out how to strengthen my body to get past that. It’s that idea you can get better at everything. So I’m going to be here for a good chunk of time. You’re definitely going to get tired of me.”

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Lewis Hamilton seems confident about his extension with Mercedes, more so than anyone else. If the two parties really have come to an agreement, when will they announce it?