The F1 summer break is also known to be when the ‘silly season’ gets underway. Contract rumors for the next year fly around like paper planes in an elementary school. In the case of Lewis Hamilton, the silly season began at the beginning of the 2023 season and is still going on. But a particular set of clauses from his contract with Mercedes have surfaced, exposing the lack of trust between the two parties.

Ever since the renewal negotiations began, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff and Hamilton have been tight-lipped about the intricacies of the deal. The duo has been very good friends for a long time. So them being on the same page is a necessity for professional interests to align with their personal relationship.

But the good friendship that we see in front of the camera might be hiding some cracks in their professional relationship. As per the Italian Sports newspaper, Corriere dello Sport, there is an opt-out clause in the Briton’s contract. After the 1st year, either party can terminate the contract. “Mercedes can hide behind the term multi-year contract, which often means that there are escape clauses in the contract,” Corriere dello Sport stated as quoted by F1 Maximaal.

Read More: Ignoring F1 Champ’s Warning Following Ferrari Rejection, Lewis Hamilton Agrees Deal With Mercedes

Even after having a successful 8-year partnership, Mercedes and Hamilton seem to have doubt in each other’s capabilities following a 2-year rough period. And Ferrari has tried exploiting such a situation by luring Hamilton. But, an F1 expert reckons that the Briton has taken the right decision.

F1 expert believes that Lewis Hamilton knows better than joining the struggling Ferrari

Hamilton has declined personal requests by Ferrari‘s chairman, John Elkann, to join their team. German news outlet, Auto Motor und Sport’s editor Michael Schmidt has given his say on the matter, explaining that the 7-time champion knows that in no world can the Maranello outfit prove as a better championship contender over Mercedes.

“I also think Hamilton is quite smart,” said Schmidt, as quoted by Express. “He knows very well that even if they pay him double in Maranello, things won’t go any better there: Ferrari is not ahead of Mercedes as a car. And every problem at Mercedes would multiply at Ferrari because it is even more in the spotlight”

A conundrum is what Lewis Hamilton has on his hands now. He is stuck between a rock and a hard place and chances for his F1 revival with the Brackley outfit look bleak with mistrust breeding quickly.

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