The weird and wonderful world of Lewis Hamilton

[White six]

Bottom post of the previous page:

2 year deal with a team mate veto?

He loves Bottas, pushes him to the limit

He's really good you know

Looks like he is getting a one year deal with a possibility to extend. I wonder where the sticking point was?

Motivation lacking on both sides

[Everso Biggyballies]

I cant find anything vaguely official or credible that says any of this. All I can get is Toto saying we wont know until just before their launch on March 2nd. I really dont care if he stays or if he goes. Sadly I think he will stay on, hopefully not for too long. I also hope Toto does not give Lewis all the power over who they can and cant employ.

[White six]

The two year thing was from Damon Hill

[White six]

Just the one year deal. Could be the last

[Everso Biggyballies]

Just the one year deal. Could be the last

And here is the official wank on it all..... in a nutshell yes he just wants to get the 8th title (the one he didnt care about, right?) and then retire to a life of Mercedes funded kneeling and righting the worlds wrongs.

Dont get me wrong I applaud what he is doing, even if I dont agree with some of his methods. I would like it more if he was involved in a less targeted /focussed attack on discrimination of all sorts. But I guess there is the argument that he can do a better job and contribute more to the specific discrimination that is closest to his heart.

I guess we now need a female driver to focus on their discrimination, a gay one to focus on their issues etc etc. Problem is the pre race antics will then take longer than the race. Or they could all focus on and push cohesively the official F1 "We race as one" mantra.....

"I am excited to be heading into my ninth season with my Mercedes teammates," said Hamilton, "Our team has achieved incredible things together and we look forward to building on our success even further, while continuously looking to improve, both on and off the track."

Hamilton stated throughout last year that he wanted his new Mercedes contract to have a wider scope, focusing on areas such as improving diversity and helping its environmental credentials.

Mercedes confirmed in the announcement that a "significant part" of the new deal including a commitment to greater diversity and inclusion in motorsport, taking the form of a joint charitable foundation.

"I'm equally determined to continue the journey we started to make motorsport more diverse for future generations and I am grateful that Mercedes has been extremely supportive of my call to address this issue," said Hamilton.

"I'm proud to say we are taking that effort further this year by launching a foundation dedicated to diversity and inclusion in the sport. I am inspired by all that we can build together and can't wait to get back on the track in March."

<Snip> cue Toto....

Hamilton has spent the winter in the United States, but was in regular contact with team boss Wolff to get talks underway and eventually across the line.

"We have always been aligned with Lewis that we would continue, but the very unusual year we had in 2020 meant it took some time to finish the process," explained Wolff.

"Together, we have decided to extend the sporting relationship for another season and to begin a longer-term project to take the next step in our shared commitment to greater diversity within our sport.

"Lewis's competitive record stands alongside the best the sports world has ever seen, and he is a valued ambassador for our brand and our partners.

"The story of Mercedes and Lewis has written itself into the history books of our sport over the past eight seasons, and we are hungry to compete and to add more chapters to it."

Extracts from https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/15494 ... t-for-2021

[White six]

'Can't be arsed to race against GR, and they won't let me veto other drivers, so I'm taking the huge 1 year deal, will win the 8th title with Valteri pushing me very hard, he's really good you know, then bugger off'

Is that a good summary?

[Michael Ferner]

Just the one year deal. Could be the last

I guess we now need a female driver to focus on their discrimination, a gay one to focus on their issues etc etc. Problem is the pre race antics will then take longer than the race. Or they could all focus on and push cohesively the official F1 "We race as one" mantra.....

Don't be so negative, what can be better than minimizing the sleep inducing effects of a Formula One race? Oh, I see, you fear for your Sunday afternoon nap...

[Everso Biggyballies]

Just the one year deal. Could be the last

I guess we now need a female driver to focus on their discrimination, a gay one to focus on their issues etc etc. Problem is the pre race antics will then take longer than the race. Or they could all focus on and push cohesively the official F1 "We race as one" mantra.....

Don't be so negative, what can be better than minimizing the sleep inducing effects of a Formula One race? Oh, I see, you fear for your Sunday afternoon nap...

Sunday afternoon.... I wish. Euro races are 11pm earliest for me. North America Brazil and its 4:00 am. Japan is good and like a local race.

[Ruslan]

Four possibilities here:

1. Lewis is planning on retiring after this year.
2. They could not reach an agreement on the future contract and Lewis’ future role, so they signed a one-year deal to tide them over (I think this is the most likely explanation).
3. Lewis may want to have the option to move elsewhere next year with the new regulations and possibly a better deal.
4. Mercedes may be scaling back/restructuring/selling off/or shutting down soon, so Lewis did not want to commit for over a year.

[Andy]

Just the one year deal. Could be the last

And here is the official wank on it all..... in a nutshell yes he just wants to get the 8th title (the one he didnt care about, right?) and then retire to a life of Mercedes funded kneeling and righting the worlds wrongs.

Dont get me wrong I applaud what he is doing, even if I dont agree with some of his methods. I would like it more if he was involved in a less targeted /focussed attack on discrimination of all sorts. But I guess there is the argument that he can do a better job and contribute more to the specific discrimination that is closest to his heart.

I guess we now need a female driver to focus on their discrimination, a gay one to focus on their issues etc etc. Problem is the pre race antics will then take longer than the race. Or they could all focus on and push cohesively the official F1 "We race as one" mantra.....

"I am excited to be heading into my ninth season with my Mercedes teammates," said Hamilton, "Our team has achieved incredible things together and we look forward to building on our success even further, while continuously looking to improve, both on and off the track."

Hamilton stated throughout last year that he wanted his new Mercedes contract to have a wider scope, focusing on areas such as improving diversity and helping its environmental credentials.

Mercedes confirmed in the announcement that a "significant part" of the new deal including a commitment to greater diversity and inclusion in motorsport, taking the form of a joint charitable foundation.

"I'm equally determined to continue the journey we started to make motorsport more diverse for future generations and I am grateful that Mercedes has been extremely supportive of my call to address this issue," said Hamilton.

"I'm proud to say we are taking that effort further this year by launching a foundation dedicated to diversity and inclusion in the sport. I am inspired by all that we can build together and can't wait to get back on the track in March."

<Snip> cue Toto....

Hamilton has spent the winter in the United States, but was in regular contact with team boss Wolff to get talks underway and eventually across the line.

"We have always been aligned with Lewis that we would continue, but the very unusual year we had in 2020 meant it took some time to finish the process," explained Wolff.

"Together, we have decided to extend the sporting relationship for another season and to begin a longer-term project to take the next step in our shared commitment to greater diversity within our sport.

"Lewis's competitive record stands alongside the best the sports world has ever seen, and he is a valued ambassador for our brand and our partners.

"The story of Mercedes and Lewis has written itself into the history books of our sport over the past eight seasons, and we are hungry to compete and to add more chapters to it."

Extracts from https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/15494 ... t-for-2021

Neither in Schmumichels nor Schummeltons era 'they raced as one'

[jimclark]

Don't be so negative, what can be better than minimizing the sleep inducing effects of a Formula One race? Oh, I see, you fear for your Sunday afternoon nap...

Where's the "thumb down" button.....?



Besides, IF I were to become bored (which never happens for me, watching those wonderful machines and drivers doing their things) the races are usually in the morning here in the eastern U.S. so I'd have enuff energy to do something more useful than napping.....(not that there's anything wrong with an afternoon snooze, mind you...).....

[Michael Ferner]

"... wonderful machines and drivers..." Geeez, WHAT do you smoke for breakfast?

[DoubleFart]

Boring. Please go away Lewis, and take Valtteri with you.

We can put Russell in one car, and Hulkenberg in the other seeing as he was the second choice after Hamilton.

[Ruslan]

Any word as to how much he is getting paid next year? I gather the discussion was somewhere between $30 - $50 million.

[jimclark]

"... wonderful machines and drivers..." Geeez, WHAT do you smoke for breakfast?

Uuuhhhh......hmmmmmm.......?

Nothing. 'Don't smoke.


My turn..... Can you design and construct; or drive as well? What's the name of your outfit, I don't recollect seeing it or you on the grid?

[Ruslan]

Any word as to how much he is getting paid next year? I gather the discussion was somewhere between $30 - $50 million.

According to one article: "According to multiple authoritative sources, the seven time world champion has even signed up with a minor pay-cut this year in a contract that does not include an option for 2022....Hamilton...is rumoured to make around EUR 40 million per year."

See: https://www.grandprix.com/news/up-to-ha ... wolff.html