It’s only been a few hours since the announcement was made by Mercedes about Lewis Hamilton extending his contract for 2 more years. What’s more? It’s an eye-watering $127,000,000 deal. And even though the Brit is 38 years old, the Silver Arrows have backed him with big bucks and lofty expectations. But were they only chasing a name? Have they missed out on actually building the future?
Many would argue that the Silver Arrows should’ve left the past in the past and moved on. With George Russell now a driver with both, youth and experience, the team should’ve focused on getting in a younger driver with the potential to carry on the Mercedes legacy. When things are put like this, Hamilton’s whopping deal may seem like a grave mistake.
Fernando Alonso makes a bizarre analogy while giving a verdict on Hamilton’s Mercedes extension
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While Hamilton is an undisputed 7x champion, he is human after all. That is, he may still be a great driver, but with his powers waning due to a lack of youth, have the Silver Arrows prioritized the short term by appeasing their superstar?
🚨 | Fernando Alonso on Lewis Hamilton's new contract:
"If I were a team boss and had to choose between Hamilton or a promising F2 driver…
"I'll keep Hamilton until I'm 80 years old, until someone shows me he's faster than Hamilton."
[@mundodeportivo]— formularacers (@formularacers_) August 31, 2023
Not for 2x Champion, Fernando Alonso, though. As per Mundo Deportivo, when asked about his thoughts on this mega contract extension, Alonso proclaimed, “If I were boss team now and I would have to choose Hamilton or the youngest on the grid or a promising F2 driver, well I’ll stay with Hamilton until he’s 80 years old, because until he shows me someone who goes faster than Hamilton”
While there is palpable respect for Hamilton in Alonso’s eyes, don’t expect that to tame the Spanish racing ace.
Alonso sends a spicy message to Lewis Hamilton and Co.
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Alonso is surely happy to see his old teammate and nemesis, Hamilton on the grid for at least two more years. However, when it comes to on-track business, the man from Oviedo now, won’t be afraid to risk it all.
That 33rd win is a long time coming, and it doesn’t matter who stands in his way, Verstappen or Hamilton or anyone, Alonso is going to get his elbows out. He was quoted as saying, “In the remaining races, hopefully, we can be in that position to fight again and have a chance to be side-by-side with Max [Verstappen] and at that point, maybe take some extra risk.”
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Do you think Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso can get their 8th title and 33rd race win, respectively, before they finally retire?
WATCH THIS STORY | How 10-year-old friendship between Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff is coming in the way of $35 million worth contract renewal